Bilder Mattheus Smallegange (1624–1710) – View of the House Starkenburgh – etching (1696)

Beskrivning

"’t Huys Starkenburgh gelegen in den Eylande van Walcheren" depicts a symmetrical bird’s-eye view of the manor house and its highly structured estate grounds. The composition centers on the main residence, which is surrounded by formal parterres, expansive orchards, and precise rows of trees, all enclosed within a rectangular boundary. At the top of the sheet, a central title banner is flanked by two elaborate coats of arms supported by airborne putti, representing the noble lineage associated with the property. This etching was published in Middelburg by Johannes Meertens as part of the Nieuwe Cronyk van Zeeland, a comprehensive historical and topographical survey of the province. The work is noted for its precise architectural detail and its documentation of seventeenth-century Dutch landscape design and aristocratic estate ownership.

Mattheus Smallegange was a Dutch historian, lawyer, and translator primarily active in the province of Zeeland. He is best remembered for his monumental Cronyk van Zeeland, which remains a primary historical source for the geography and genealogy of the region. Smallegange spent decades compiling information and commissioning high-quality illustrations to record the cities, castles, and noble houses of his era. His work reflects the flourishing of Dutch cartography and topographical art during the late seventeenth century. Through his systematic documentation, he preserved the visual heritage of Zeeland’s Golden Age architecture and rural land management.

Artist or Maker: Mattheus Smallegange.

Dimensions: Approximately 38 cm x 42 cm.

Medium: etching.

Date: 1696.

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.