Bilder Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772) – Plan of the City of Cartagena in the West Indies (Plan de la Ville de Carthagene des Indes) – Copperplate engraving (1755)

Beskrivning

This detailed urban plan depicts the fortified city of Cartagena (Carthagene des Indes) on the Caribbean coast of modern-day Colombia. The engraving illustrates the city's strategic layout across several islands, showing the intricate defensive walls, bastions, and the neighboring "Isle de Manga." The work provides a comprehensive bird's-eye view of the colonial street grid, including major religious and civic buildings such as the Cathedral, Santa Domingo, and the Jesuit College. 

Jacques-Nicolas Bellin was a preeminent French hydrographer and geographer who served as the official cartographer to the French Navy for over five decades. He was a founding member of the Académie de Marine and a fellow of the Royal Society of London, earning high acclaim for his systematic approach to maritime charting and urban plans. Bellin was responsible for the monumental "Petit Atlas Maritime" and provided hundreds of illustrations for the "Histoire Générale des Voyages," which served as the primary source of geographical knowledge for the French Enlightenment. His maps are celebrated for their technical accuracy and their role in documenting the fortified colonial outposts and navigation routes of the 18th-century world.

Artist or Maker:
Jacques-Nicolas Bellin.

Dimensions:
Approximately 39 cm x 25 cm.

Medium:
Copperplate engraving.

Date:
1755.

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.