144 - BONAPARTE (General Napoleon) - ITALIAN CAMPAIGN & SURRENDER OF MANTOVA (1797)

BONAPARTE (General Napoleon) - ITALIAN CAMPAIGN & SURRENDER OF MANTOVA (1797) A poetic tribute from the Municipality of Casalmaggiore, printed on silk satin. Black letterpress print on silk satin Casalmaggiore [Lombardy], the 26th of Piovoso, Year V (February 14, 1797) Printer: Dalla Stamperia delli Fratelli Bizzarri con permissione H. 52.5 cm - W. 42 cm A few tears and missing sections, fold stain Note: A remarkable commemorative poster printed on silk in honor of the commander-in-chief of the Army of Italy, on the occasion of the capitulation of the fortress of Mantua (surrender by Field Marshal Wurmser on February 2, 1797), a pivotal episode of the First Italian Campaign. The text opens with the official dedication from the Lombard municipality: “ON THE OCCASION OF THE LONG-AWAITED SURRENDER OF MANTOVA TO THE GLORIOUS REPUBLICAN ARMY, CELEBRATED IN CASALMAGGIORE ON THE 26TH OF PIOVOSO, YEAR V OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC [...] THE MUNICIPALITY OF CASALMAGGIORE DEDICATES THE FOLLOWING SONNETS TO THE GREAT, GENEROUS, AND INVINCIBLE HERO, GENERAL-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY OF ITALY, BONAPARTE” The body of the text consists of two sonnets arranged in two columns framing a vertical typographic frieze featuring scrollwork and ornate initials. One of the poems invokes the spirit of Hannibal crossing the Alps to salute the young conqueror (“Now Italy, O invincible leader, is yours”), while the second urges Italy to break its chains under the impetus of the republican cause (“Sarai più bella; e non sarai più serva”). In the 18th century, prints on silk were the ultimate ceremonial tribute. Produced in an extremely limited, non-commercial run (just a few copies presented to generals, consuls, or Bonaparte himself), they are infinitely rarer and more sought-after than the paper versions.