This large map of Italy, published in Paris in 1859 by the renowned publishing house of Eugène Andriveau-Goujon, is a cartographic document of great interest for reconstructing the geopolitical dynamics of the Risorgimento.
The map depicts Italy immediately following the Second War of Independence: Lombardy appears already annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia following the Treaty of Zurich, while Veneto remains under the control of the Austrian Empire, distinguished by its color from the rest of the peninsula. The rest of the territory still shows the integrity of the Papal States and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, offering an overview of the territorial structure just prior to the Expedition of the Thousand.
In addition to the detailed topography rendered through fine hatching, the map is dedicated to depicting the road and logistics network and specifically to calculating the distances between the various post stations, the so-called relais, making it an indispensable tool for travelers and officials of the time. Of particular note is the layout of the first railway lines, symbols of the modernity that was reshaping communications between Italy’s major cities. The attention to place names and the precision of the coastal depiction, which includes Dalmatia and the North African coasts, attest to the high scientific standards of the French cartographic school.
The map, engraved on copper and beautifully colored, is distinguished by its typical canvas mounting with cut-outs, a technical solution designed to facilitate portable consultation without compromising the map’s integrity.
Eugène Andriveau-Goujon (1832–1897) was a Parisian publisher and cartographer active in the second half of the 19th century, heir to one of France’s most prestigious cartographic publishing houses. An active member of the Paris Geographical Society, he distinguished himself for his ability to constantly update his plates in real time to reflect the rapid changes in European borders
The Andriveau-Goujon firm was founded by his father, Jean Andriveau-Goujon (1805–1857), a geographer and bookseller-publisher who established his business at 21 Rue du Bac, near the Pont Royal in Paris. Jean had trained at the Goujon firm, of which he became the successor and whose name he retained in the company’s title.
Eugène inherited his father’s business and continued its operations until the end of the century. Under his leadership, the publishing house produced numerous significant cartographic works, including the famous *Atlas Universel* and the *Atlas classique et universel de géographie ancienne et moderne*, adopted by the French Ministry of War for regimental libraries.
Andriveau-Goujon maps were distinguished by their scientific accuracy, the elegance of their engraving, and the refinement of their hand-coloring. Their output ranged from school atlases to large wall maps, from street maps to historical depictions, serving the academic market as well as that of travelers and businesspeople.
The Rue du Bac location remained the center of publishing operations throughout the family’s active period, cementing Paris’s reputation as the European capital of cartography in the 19th century.
