Important Map of the Brescia published in Venice in 1655 by Stefano Scolari. The map is based on the first fundamental representation of the Brescia territory by Cristoforo Sorte in 1560, which was later filtered through Forlani’s 1574 map. It is oriented with north to the right and is bordered by a graduated margin with a scale in Italian miles. Interestingly, the wind rose in the lower right corner features an arrow pointing south instead of north.
The hydrographic layout is detailed and precise, and the positioning of urban centers is well-executed. The orography is accurately depicted with shaded relief on the right, and many mountains are labeled with their names, such as Monte Guglielmo, Gaver, and Monte Baldo on the Veronese side. However, the Adamello is not mentioned, despite the detailed depiction of the entire Camonica Valley.
The history of this very rare engraving by Andrea Bertelli can be summarized in four states:
First state (1595): Dated 1595 with Andrea Bertelli’s address (ANNO XCV VENETIIS. Apud Andream Bertellum da Signum S. Marci.) – Only one known copy.
Second state (1605): Dated 1605 with Bertelli’s address removed.
Third state (1655): Dated 1655 with Stefano Scolari’s address.
Fourth state (1605): Dated 1605 with the addition of Domenico Lovisa’s address.
It remains unclear why Lovisa, a publisher active in the early 18th century, reprinted Bertelli’s map while maintaining the 1605 date. It is likely that Lovisa—known for reissuing earlier plates—was unaware of the original 1595 edition. Since he had acquired the plate modified by Scolari, he may have chosen to keep the 1605 date to indicate that his work was not an original creation (which, at the time, would have been outdated and clumsy) but merely a reprint of the Brescia territory as it had been known more than a century earlier.
Stefano Mozzi Scolari was born around 1612 in Calvisano, in the province of Brescia. His full name—“Stefano Mozzo detto Scolari”—suggests that his family adopted the surname Scolari, likely to distinguish themselves in the world of art and printing.
Starting in 1644, Scolari settled in Venice, where he ran his workshop near San Zulian, under the sign of Le Tre Virtù, not far from Piazza San Marco. He was among the first to specialize in illustrated publishing, focusing exclusively on reproducing prints and engravings, particularly maps and depictions of urban life and contemporary events.
His work involved both reprinting existing engravings—he used the plates of Bertelli, Valegio, and Van Aelst, among others, also reissuing important maps such as Gastaldi’s Lombardy, Greuter’s Italy, and Magini’s Italy—and creating original works, including prints and maps of his own design. One notable example is his 1677 booklet Dichiaratione del Raccordo per beneficio delle lagune di Venetia, which illustrated measures for managing Venice’s water systems.
His professional activity centered around the parish church of San Zulian, where he likely lived from 1642 onward. He was an active member of the Painters’ Guild between 1660 and 1683 and regularly attended the meetings of the Scuola del Santissimo Sacramento di San Zulian from 1660 to 1691.
Stefano Mozzi Scolari passed away between June 2 and June 7, 1691, in Venice and was buried in San Zulian Church in an individual tomb—a rather unusual choice, as most guild members were typically buried in collective graves. His publishing activity continued after his death, carried on by his heirs, who managed the workshop for several more decades.
Andrea Bertelli was part of the renowned dynasty of booksellers, publishers, and engravers originally from Vobarno in Valsabbia, active since the late 15th century. Born around the mid-16th century, Andrea completed his apprenticeship in the family workshop before establishing his own business in Venice. The Bertelli family had already settled in the city, and the Venetus mark—indicating their status as citizens of the Republic—was widely adopted, though their roots remained firmly Brescian.
The founder of the Bertelli family, Ferdinando Bertelli, originally from Boarno di Salò (the ancient name for Vobarno), moved to Venice early on and opened a workshop under the sign of Saint Mark in 1561, working primarily as an engraver and print merchant.
After Ferdinando’s death around 1574, the workshop was taken over by Donato Bertelli, who had been active in Venice since at least 1559. When Donato passed away in 1594, Andrea Bertelli assumed leadership of the business, continuing operations from the shop in Marzaria under the sign of Saint Mark.
