Bilder Nicolas De Fer (1646–1720) – Map of the City of Quebec – Canada – Engraving (1694)

Beskrivning

"Quebec, Ville de l'Amerique Septentrionale." This engraving presents a detailed topographical and naval map of Quebec City and the Saint Lawrence River. The composition illustrates the failed British siege of 1690, showing thirty-four English vessels anchored in the harbor facing the fortified city. A comprehensive text block on the left provides a historical account of the event and a numerical key titled "Renvoy des Chifres" that identifies seventeen critical landmarks, including the Fort Saint Louis, the Hospital, and various artillery batteries. This work was published in Paris and reflects the high-quality cartographic production of the late seventeenth century. The plate serves as a vital historical record of early colonial conflict and the strategic urban development of New France.

Nicolas De Fer was a prolific French cartographer, engraver, and publisher who served as the official geographer to both the French and Spanish royal courts. He was renowned for his ability to produce maps that were as much works of art as they were scientific documents, often prioritizing decorative elegance and current events over absolute geographical precision. Throughout his career, he published over six hundred maps and numerous atlases, documenting the territorial expansions and military campaigns of King Louis XIV. His workshop in Paris became a center for the dissemination of geographical knowledge, making his maps highly influential among the European aristocracy and military elite. De Fer's legacy is defined by his extensive documentation of the shifting borders and newfound territories of the early modern world.

Artist or Maker: Nicolas De Fer.

Dimensions: Approximately 30 cm x 23 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1694.

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.