Wallpaper - Old Map of Italy, 1570

Our Old Map of Italy, 1570 wallpaper brings antique cartography to life across a grand scale. Originally published in Abraham Ortelius’s historic atlas, the composition depicts the Italian peninsula mapped out with fine topographical details, classical Latin calligraphy, and ornate Renaissance cartouches. The warm parchment-toned seas—including the Mare Tyrrhenum and Mare Adriaticum—are enlivened by detailed sailing vessels, a mythical sea creature holding a trident, and decorative compass points. Produced custom-made to your exact dimensions, our PVC-free wallpapers feature a subtle paper structure that complements vintage historical art.

In the room

We see this design working exceptionally well in spaces where people have time to take in the intricate details up close, such as a home office, study, library, or dining room. Because the map contains dense script and delicate coastal line work across the entire composition, it benefits greatly from a wide, relatively uninterrupted wall where the full geography can unfold without being cut off by tall bookcases or bulky wardrobes. In a study or living room, positioning the wallpaper behind a low desk, a credenza, or a sofa allows the decorative maritime figures and ornate borders to remain prominently on display.

Styling it

The rich Renaissance character of this design pairs naturally with classic and heritage-led interior styles. We would lean into timeless, grounded furnishings rather than high-gloss modern pieces to let the antique aesthetic take center stage.

• Choose warm or darker wood tones such as walnut, mahogany, or dark-stained oak for desks, dining tables, and shelving to echo the historical library feel of the artwork.
• Introduce classic leather seating or substantial upholstered furniture in muted tones to support the grounded, heritage atmosphere of the room.
• Use traditional metal accents in antique brass, aged bronze, or muted gold on lighting and hardware to draw out the warm tones of the map's decorative cartouches.

Color combinations

The artwork centers on a warm, aged beige parchment background accented with soft navy blue lettering, terracotta reds, and muted olive greens along the regional borders. When decorating around this wall mural, we suggest pulling directly from these earthy base tones. Painted adjacent walls in warm off-white, antique cream, or deep navy blue create an elegant contrast that makes the map feel integrated. Rich forest green, warm ochre, and deep brick red also work beautifully as secondary accents for drapery, upholstery, and decorative accessories.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are custom-made to measure according to your wall dimensions. This tailored approach helps reduce unnecessary excess material compared with buying standard fixed-size wallpaper rolls. Our wall murals are PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical structure that adds depth to every design. We design our wallpapers to be straightforward and easy to hang, providing versatile decor options suited for homeowners and renters looking to transform their interior spaces.