Zanzibar, from "Jeu de la Géographie" 1644

"Zanzibar" is an etching by Stefano della Bella, created in 1644. Part of a series titled "Jeu de la Géographie," the print depicts a female figure representing Zanzibar, dressed in exotic attire and holding a staff. The inscription below the image describes the island's strategic location and its relationship with the Portuguese empire. This print exemplifies the burgeoning interest in cartography and exploration during the Renaissance. The use of etching, a technique that allowed for detailed and intricate lines, was common during this period. Today, the artwork is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.