Plan de la Ville u Chateau de Namur avec les Ataques, Grave par l’ordre du Roy.

Title

Plan de la Ville u Chateau de Namur avec les Ataques, Grave par l’ordre du Roy.

Description

Map depicts a military fortification and siege plan of the city of Namur in 1695. It shows the city, its fortifications, the surrounding terrain, and the military positions and siege works of the Allied forces. The plan features a magnificently decorated border containing an index with putti and the personal royal coat of arms of King William III (William of Orange), who ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1689 to 1702 and was the founder and leader of the Grand Alliance. Engraved and published by Nicolas Visscher, with printing privilege.

ca. 1700

Artist

Visscher Nicolas (1618-1679)

Nicolaes Visscher I (1618 -1679) Amsterdam was a Dutch engraver, cartographer and publisher. He belonged to the Dutch art dealer, engraver and publisher dynasty founded by his father Claes Janszoon Visscher. After his father's death in 1652, he took over his father's art publishing house and initially continued publishing the atlases and maps that his father had begun. He then began publishing works under his own name. Together with his son Nicolaes Visscher II (1649-1702), he engraved a large number of printing plates, further replenishing the publisher's stock. The atlases "Atlas Contractus", "Atlas Minor" and "Germania Inferior" contain about 170 plates. After N. Visscher's death, some of Visscher's copper plates passed to Petrus Schenk II (1693-1775), who used them for numerous reprints.

Historical Description

Namur is a historic city in southern Belgium and the capital of Wallonia. It developed around the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers and became an important strategic and trading center. Its citadel played a major role in European warfare, as Namur was repeatedly fought over by France, Spain, Austria, and other powers. In 1692, French King Louis XIV captured the city, while it changed hands again during later European wars. Since the 19th century, Namur has been part of Belgium and serves as the political center of Wallonia.