Ottoman-Habsburg Wars (1521-1791)
Images from eight wars fought between 1570 and 1718
Siege of Malta, 1565
L'ARMATA TVRCHESCA CHE MESSE IN TERRA A'MARZA SIROCCO ADI · XX · DI MAGGIO ·
published 1582Etching and engraving; printed on paper; mounted on paper (Mount Type A); gilt edges left, bottom and right | 31.8 x 44.9 cm (image and neatline) | RCIN 721033.c
A view of the disembarkation of the Turks at Marsasirocco on the 19th May. Oriented with north-east (G[reco]) to top (mariner’s wind rose). The text on the map relates how the Maltese, certain that the Turks would not remain, neglected to reap the grain and drive the cattle to safety; this was of great assistance to the Turks who had made two small forts, armed with fourteen small cannon, near the site of disembarkation in order to ensure the safety of the anchorage. At the same time, about 500 of the Christian defence army went to meet the Turks at the village of St Catherine and fought them hand to hand. The superiority of the Turkish numbers forced the Christians to retreat, having killed sixty of the Turks and captured six of them.
See the Notes and References to the master entry at 721033 for further information.
Matteo Perez d'Aleccio (1547-1616) (publisher) [bottom centre, inside neatline:] IN ROMA · APPRESSO · MATTEO PEREZ DE ALLECIO·
Watermark: Three-runged ladder in shield with six-pointed star above [see Woodward nos 244-254]
Condition: mount slightly creased; slight brown discolouration; some surface dirt
31.8 x 44.9 cm (image and neatline)
cropped (platemark)
32.1 x 45.3 cm (sheet)
41.3 x 55.0 cm (mount)
Printed title:
L'ARMATA TVRCHESCA CHE MESSE IN TERRA A'MARZA SIROCCO ADI · XX · DI MAGGIO ·[top]
Printed title:
LI MALTESI NON CREDEVANO CHE L'ARMATA SI FERMASSE, ET PER TANTO NON FERNO ... ALLI TVRCHI SIPO DIRE. [along bottom, below view]
Printed title:
FOGLIO TERZO · ·1582· [bottom right]
Additional text:
[centre, in an oval cartouche, a description of the early stages of the siege:] Lune di che fu à li 21 li nemici ... [In a panel, right centre:] L'armata Vene dal mugiarro ...
Annotations:
George III heading: Malta
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom right, black pencil, erased:] II/37-c
George III catalogue entry:
Malta Ritratti della Guerra e dell’ Assedio et Assalti dati alla Isola di Malta dall’ Armata Turchesca l’anno 1565: da Matteo Perez di Allecio, 1582. 15 foglie.
Subject(s)
Malta, independent political entity (35°55ʹ00ʺN 14°26ʹ00ʺE)
Bibliographic reference(s)
M. McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo. Part II, Architecture, Topography and Military Maps, 3 vols, London 2019, cat. no. 2668
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
