Old Birdseye Map of Venice by Boisseau, 1648: St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal, Venetian Lagoon

The "Description De L'Opulente et Manifique Ville de Venise," crafted by the esteemed French atlas maker and royal cartographer Jean Boisseau in 1648, is a breathtaking bird's eye view of Venice. This rare map offers an intricate depiction of the city during its historical decline from power, capturing the essence of Venice's architectural grandeur and bustling maritime activities. The map's detailed illustrations highlight the city's unique layout, with its main island and surrounding islets prominently featured, making it an invaluable piece for any collector or history enthusiast.

Venice, renowned for its intricate network of canals and stunning architecture, is beautifully represented in this map. Notable landmarks such as St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the iconic Rialto Bridge are easily identifiable, showcasing the city's rich cultural heritage. The Grand Canal, a vital waterway that opens onto the Adriatic Sea, is depicted with numerous sailing and merchant vessels, reflecting Venice's thriving trade during the 17th century. Smaller boats and gondolas navigating through the islands and canals further enhance the map's authenticity and charm.

The map also provides a detailed view of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon, including San Giorgio, Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Each island is illustrated with remarkable precision, highlighting their unique features and historical significance. The depiction of these islands underscores Venice's strategic importance and its role as a major maritime hub. The inclusion of the mainland in the background adds depth to the map, offering a comprehensive view of the region's geography.

Jean Boisseau's expertise as a royal cartographer is evident in the meticulous detail and artistic flair of this map. His work not only serves as a geographical guide but also as a historical document, capturing Venice's splendor during a period of significant change. The map's design, with its intricate illustrations and careful labeling of buildings and landmarks, reflects Boisseau's dedication to accuracy and his deep understanding of the city's layout and history.

The intriguing coat of arms featured on the map, with its depiction of St. Marc's lion, a Doge's cap, and ribbons, adds a unique touch to this already remarkable piece. The unusual animalian face under the cap is a fascinating detail that invites further exploration and interpretation. This map, published in the exceedingly rare "Atlas du Théâtre des Citez," is not only a testament to Venice's enduring legacy but also a tribute to Boisseau's exceptional skill and artistry as a cartographer.

Streets and roads on this map

• La Judeé
• St. François
• St. Lucie
• St. Marc's lion
• St. Pierre de Castillon

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Numerous sailing and merchant vessels in the Grand Canal and Adriatic Sea.
• Gondolas and smaller boats traveling throughout the islands and canals.
• St. Mark's Basilica
• Doge's Palace
• Rialto bridge
• St. Pierre de Castillon
• St. Marc's lion depicted in the coat of arms
• St. Lucie
• St. Francois
• Detailed depictions of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon, including San Giorgio, Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Description De L'Opulente et Manifique Ville de Venise
• Creation date: 1648
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Jean Boisseau, a French atlas maker and royal cartographer.
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: Jean Boisseau was known for his detailed and artistic cartographic works. He served as a royal cartographer, which highlights the significance and accuracy of his maps.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Bird's eye view: The map provides a detailed bird's eye view of Venice, focusing on the main island and surrounding islets.
• Architecture and landmarks: Individual buildings such as St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto bridge are identifiable and named.
• Harbor and canals: The harbor and canals are illustrated with numerous sailing and merchant vessels, gondolas, and smaller boats.
• Islands in the Venetian Lagoon: Detailed depiction of islands like San Giorgio, Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
• Coat of arms: Includes typical imagery of St. Marc's lion, a Doge's cap, and ribbons, with an unusual animalian face under the cap.
• Countries and regions shown on the map: The map primarily focuses on Venice and the Venetian Lagoon, with the mainland visible in the background.
• Design or style: The map is a pictorial bird's eye view, richly detailed with illustrations of buildings, vessels, and the city's layout.
• Historical significance:
• Venice's decline from power: The map portrays Venice during its three-century decline from power, highlighting the city's continued trade activities despite challenges.
• Published in a rare atlas: This work was published in the now exceedingly rare "Atlas du Théâtre des Citez," adding to its historical and collectible value.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

This map is wider than most maps, which would make it a perfect statement piece above a mantelpiece, sofa or desk.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.