Bilder Mattheus Smallegange (1624–1710) – View of Old Middelburg in the Year 1550 – Engraving (1696)

Beskrivning

"OUD MIDDELBURGH. in den Jaare 1550." This large-scale panoramic engraving illustrates the city of Middelburg as it appeared in the mid-sixteenth century, featuring its fortified walls, prominent church spires, and a bustling harbor filled with various sailing vessels. Two decorative crests held by putti flank the upper corners of the composition. The technical nature is a copper engraving, often spanning multiple joined sheets due to its impressive width. It was published in the seminal work Nieuwe Cronyk van Zeeland, printed in Middelburg by Johannes Meertens and in Amsterdam by Abraham van Someren. This work is significant for providing one of the most comprehensive topographical and historical records of the province of Zeeland during the Dutch Golden Age.

Mattheus Smallegange was a Dutch historian, genealogist, and translator who dedicated much of his life to chronicling the heritage of his native Zeeland. Although not an engraver himself, he collaborated with skilled artists and cartographers to produce the vast array of maps and city views that characterized his publications. His primary contribution was the synthesis of archival research and visual documentation into monumental volumes that served both as historical references and as symbols of regional pride. Smallegange's Cronyk remains a foundational primary source for researchers studying Dutch urban development, maritime history, and the social structures of the seventeenth century.

Artist or Maker: Mattheus Smallegange (Author/Publisher).

Dimensions: Approximately 38 cm x 78 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

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.