t’Slot en de Stadt Muyden

Title

t’Slot en de Stadt Muyden

A bird’s-eye view showing the construction of the pilework and the fortified lock at Muiden, 1673 between ’t Slot and the town of Muiden in the Netherlands. At the top left is a banner with t'Slot van Muyden (Castle of Muiden) and at the top right with a city index. . Issued by Lambert van den Bosch (c. 1610 – after 1698) He was a Dutch historian, poet, and translator active in the 17th century. He was known for his works on the history of the Netherlands and his collaborations with other artists and publishers. One example is his work Tooneel des Oorlogs from 1675, which was created in cooperation with engravers such as Jacob van Meurs and Joan van Someren. This work is an important example of 17th-century Dutch war literature.

ca. 1675

Artist

Meurs, van (1619/20-1680)

Jacob van Meurs (1619–1680) was a prominent Dutch bookseller, engraver, and publisher active mainly between 1650 and 1680. Early in his career, he published works on the history of Amsterdam and the Dutch Republic, later specializing successfully in books about China, Japan, Africa, and America. He collaborated with contemporaries such as Johan Nieuhof, Olfert Dapper, and Arnoldus Montanus, becoming a leading publisher of works on the non-European world from 1660 to 1680. His books were known for their elaborate illustrations of exotic peoples and places. Key publications include Het Gezantschap der Neêrlandtsche Oost-Indische Compagnie (1665) by Nieuhof, China monumentis (1667) by Athanasius Kircher, Olfert Dapper’s description of Africa (1668), works on Japan (1669), and further descriptions of China (1670). Van Meurs responded to the strong demand for comprehensive accounts of distant colonies and lands.

Historical Description

Muiden is a small historic town in the province of North Holland, near Amsterdam, best known for its impressive water castle, the Muiderslot. The town is located at the confluence of the Vecht River and the IJmeer and was an important defensive point and trading post in the Middle Ages. The Muiderslot was built in the 13th century to control the vital waterway to Amsterdam and protect the region from invaders. Over the centuries, Muiden developed into a lively trading harbor. Today, Muiden is a charming town appreciated for its castle, maritime history, and picturesque setting.