“Beyond the View: Canaletto”
This World Heritage Day, on 18th April, visitors to Tatton Park will have the rare opportunity to see, on display for the first time, an extraordinarily important map of Venice. Featured within a new exhibition that follows 18 year old Samuel Egerton’s remarkable journey from rural Cheshire to the vibrant heart of Venice’s art world, the 1729 map by Ludovico Ughi, the Iconografica Rappresentione della Incita di Venezia, stands as a technical marvel of its time. At the forefront of surveying and cartographic innovation, it continued to be used as a trusted reference well into the 19th century.
First published by Giuseppe Baroni, the map was printed on twelve plates surrounded by exquisitely detailed vignettes depicting sixteen key Venetian buildings —believed to be the work of Francesco Zucchi and inspired by Luca Carlevarijs’ celebrated Fabriche e Vedute di Venezia (1703), the definitive Venetian views of the period. Originally intended to be cut from its folio and assembled into an impressive 5by6foot display, the Tatton copy is an extraordinary survivor: completely uncut, and preserved in its original folio, a remarkable treasure of 18th century cartographic artistry. As the first topographical map of the city, Ughi’s creation is remarkably accurate for its time, standing as both a scientific achievement and a work of art.
To further enhance this extraordinary map and open its stories to new audiences, Tatton Park has partnered with global mapping specialists Esri UK to create an interactive digital interpretation as Carolyn Latham, Mansion
and Collections Manager explains: “Visitors will be able to see both the original folio and the digitally assembled map in all its impressive detail, together with an engaging interactive Storymap that invites them to explore the map, draw comparisons with the modern city and connect with the past in entirely new ways. This is a great opportunity to experience this rare and significant masterpiece which we’re delighted to display for the first time.”
Funded and supported by Art Fund, and with public funds from Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Immersive Arts Fund, Cheshire East Council and Tatton Park’s Charitable Trust, Beyond the View: Canaletto invites visitors to go beyond the surface of the Venetian masterpieces and explore the Egerton family and their unique Italian collections. “Beyond the View: Canaletto” Runs until 1st November 2026.
Image above (c) Chris Foster
