This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Other 17th-century conflicts

Printed and manuscript maps, prints and views of 22 seventeenth-century wars

ANDREA SALMINCI (C. 1570- AFTER 1641)

View of the siege of Pontelagoscuro, 1643 (Pontelagoscuro, Emilia-Romagna, Italy) 44°52ʹ49ʺN 11°36ʹ25ʺE

1643 or later

Engraving; printed on paper; laid down on paper and then mounted on paper (Mount Type B) | 24.9 x 32.3 cm (image and sheet) | RCIN 723034

A view of Pontelagoscuro, unsuccessfully besieged and attacked by troops of the league of the Republic of Venice, under the orders of Mattias de' Medici (9 May 1613-11 October 1667) from 29 August to 3 September 1643 resulting in the retention of the town and fort by the Papal army of Pope Urban VIII (bap.5 April 1568-29 July 1644), commanded by Cardinal Antonio Barberini (5 August 1607-3 September 1671). First War of Castro (1641-1644). Oriented with north to top (cardinal points). 

The dedicatee of this print, Achille d'Étampes de Valençay (5 July 1593-27 June 1646), was commander of the Papal troops under Urban VIII and had been made Maréchal de Camp [the rank he is given in the dedication] in 1627.

See also RCIN 723033.a.

  • Andrea Salminci (c. 1570- after 1641) (engraver and dedicator, draughtsman and publisher)

    Subject(s)

    Army-Venetian Republic
  • Watermark: Map: none visible. Backing paper: indistinct, cross in tear drop. Mount: none.

    Condition: some brown discolouration

  • 24.9 x 32.3 cm (image and sheet)

    cropped (platemark)

    30.0 x 36.6 cm (mount)

  • Printed title:

    Descrittione del luogo detto Ponte di Lagoscuro , co’ l Forte nouo fatto fabricare / d’ordine dell’ Em.mo Sig.r Card. Antonio Barberini Legato, Assediato da Venetiani adi 29 Ag.to. / et liberato adi 3. 7b.re 1643. [top centre, in banner]

    Dedication:

    [top centre, below title:] All' Ill.mo. et Ecc.mo Sig.re et Prone Col.mo Il Sig.r Bali di Vallanzay dell' ' Essercito Ecclesiastico / Mro di Campo Generale. / Andrea Salmincio inuent. et Intagliat.re D. e Dedica.

    Additional text:

    [bottom right, in plain cartouche, a key, A-I, K-P.]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Lagoscuro 29 August – 3 September 1643.

    Other annotations: none.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Lagoscuro Descrittione del Luogo detto Ponte di Lagoscuro co’l Forte novo fatto fabricare d’ordine dell’ Card. Antonio Barberini Legato, assediato da Venetiani adi 29 Ag.to et liberato adi 3 Set.re 1643: da Andrea Salmincio.

  • Subject(s)

    Pontelagoscuro, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (44°52ʹ49ʺN 11°36ʹ25ʺE)

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    Mark McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo. Part II, Architecture, Topography and Military Maps, 3 vols, London 2019, cat. no. 3132

Page revisions

  • 25 May 2024