Antonio Francesco Lucini
Antonio Francesco Lucini (active c. 1610-1665) holds a decisive place in the history of seventeenth-century scientific illustration and naval cartography. An accomplished Italian engraver and printmaker, Lucini’s output spanned several decades, yet he is universally recognized for his comprehensive etching work within Sir Robert Dudley’s monumental achievement, Dell’Arcano del Mare.
Published in Florence across two installments, 1646 and 1661, Dell’Arcano del Mare was the first sea atlas written by an Englishman and the first major work to extensively utilize the innovative Mercator projection for nautical charts. Lucini was tasked with translating Dudley’s advanced mathematical and cosmological theories into tangible visual form, a commission requiring extraordinary technical mastery across hundreds of plates detailing navigation, shipbuilding, and astronomy. This vast undertaking cemented Lucini’s reputation not merely as an interpreter, but as an essential technical partner in the dissemination of cutting-edge maritime science.
Beyond the exhaustive scale of the atlas, Lucini produced individual plates reflecting geopolitical conflicts and topographical observations, demonstrating his proficiency in rendering detailed strategic scenes. His documentation of historical events concerning the Mediterranean is evident in works such as Aanval op Castiglia te Malta and the expansive Overzicht van het gehele gevecht op Malta. These detailed historical accounts, often included alongside more generalized views like Landscape with Ruins, showcase a printmaker who balanced grand, informative spectacle with exacting artistic detail. It is a fortunate circumstance for researchers that much of Lucini's historically significant work is now in the public domain, making high-quality prints and downloadable artwork widely accessible for study.
Lucini’s meticulous approach ensures his permanent place among the premier European engravers of the Baroque period. While the record contains relatively few Antonio Francesco Lucini paintings, his masterful prints are held in prestigious institutions globally, including the Rijksmuseum and the National Gallery of Art. The remarkable clarity and enduring museum-quality of these impressions mean they continue to serve as definitive, sophisticated records of 17th-century knowledge.
