The artist used copperplate engraving to achieve a level of detail that woodcuts could not match. He frequently collaborated with the cartographer Giacomo Gastaldi to produce multi-sheet wall maps. These large prints often featured text legends in the empty spaces of the oceans to describe foreign customs and flora. Sanuto’s work is characterised by sharp line definition and the inclusion of mythical sea creatures. This method turned geographical data into a visual narrative. The scale of these works meant they were often mounted on linen and attached to rollers for display.

Sanuto’s prints appeal to current collectors because they document the early stages of global exploration. His maps show the Americas and the Pacific Ocean as they were first understood by Europeans. The monochrome nature of the engravings emphasises the precision of the burin work. These pieces do not rely on colour to make an impact. They provide a direct link to the Renaissance desire for cosmopolitan knowledge. A print by Sanuto functions as a historical document that also organises a room with its structured, scientific aesthetic.