1776 L’America divisa ne’ suoi principali stati

This elegant map of the Western Hemisphere by Antonio Zatta presents the Americas at a moment when European geographic knowledge was being rapidly transformed by the great exploratory voyages of the eighteenth century. Published in Venice in 1776, the map synthesizes the latest discoveries and cartographic revisions from both the Pacific and North American frontiers, combining scientific geography with the refined decorative style characteristic of Venetian engraving. Geographic Scope and Exploration The map depicts the entirety of North and South America from the Arctic regions to Tierra del Fuego, while also extending westward into the Pacific Ocean to include New Zealand and numerous islands associated with recent voyages of exploration. Zatta incorporates contemporary geographic understanding of the Pacific Northwest, the Russian discoveries in the northern Pacific, and the expanding European knowledge of the South Pacific generated through the voyages of Captain James Cook. Particularly notable is the extensive annotation in the upper left corner referencing the “recent discoveries of the Russians,” almost certainly alluding to the explorations of Vitus Bering and the Russian expeditions into Alaska and the North Pacific during the eighteenth century. The text explains that the northwestern regions of America are based upon discoveries approved by the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris in 1774, evidence of the growing European effort to define the geography of the Arctic and Pacific Northwest. Captain Cook and the Revision of Pacific Geography Equally significant is the long note concerning New Zealand in the lower left portion of the map. Zatta specifically references Captain James Cook’s circumnavigation and survey of New Zealand, noting that Cook demonstrated the landmass to consist of two principal islands separated by the strait now bearing his name. The text further contrasts Cook’s observations with the earlier and less accurate discoveries of Abel Tasman, emphasizing the corrections required in geographic tables of longitude and latitude following Cook’s voyages. These annotations demonstrate the degree to which eighteenth century cartography had become increasingly dependent upon scientific observation, astronomical calculation, and global exploration. Rather than merely reproducing inherited geographic traditions, Zatta’s map incorporates the newest available discoveries from both Russian and British exploratory expeditions. Decorative Style and Historical Context The map is engraved in Zatta’s distinctive Venetian style, characterized by delicate linework, restrained outline color, and an elegant rococo-inspired cartouche adorned with tropical vegetation and exotic imagery. Unlike many earlier decorative maps of the Americas, the emphasis here rests less upon allegory and more upon contemporary geographic accuracy and scientific progress. Issued during the era of the American Revolution and at the height of European imperial competition, the map captures a world still being actively explored and defined. It stands as an excellent example of late eighteenth century Enlightenment cartography, when geographic knowledge increasingly drew upon the cumulative results of international exploration, scientific inquiry, and maritime expansion.