Bilder Jacques-Nicolas Bellin – Plan de la Ville de Cochin – Engraving – 1748

Beskrivning

This 18th-century copperplate engraving by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin presents a detailed plan of the fortified city of Cochin (now Kochi) on the Malabar Coast of India. The map offers a bird’s-eye view of the city's urban layout, fortifications, harbor, and surrounding terrain. Fort Cochin was a key strategic site for Portuguese, Dutch, and later British colonial ambitions due to its prime location for spice trade. The engraving reflects the European interest in coastal mapping and military infrastructure across the Indian subcontinent. A profile of the city's bastions is also depicted along the top edge.

Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772) was one of the leading French hydrographers and cartographers of the 18th century. As the chief cartographer to the French Navy and a member of the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine, Bellin produced hundreds of maps for official atlases and maritime publications. His work was instrumental in shaping European geographic knowledge during the Age of Exploration, particularly through his contributions to L'Histoire générale des voyages and other encyclopedic projects.

Artist or Maker: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin

Dimensions: 34 cm x 39 cm

Medium: Copperplate Engraving

Date: 1748

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.