Bilder François Valentijn (1666–1727) – Map of the Fortress of Cranganore – India – Engraving (1726)

Beskrivning

"Grond Teekening van de Vesting Cranganoor" presents a detailed ground plan and architectural survey of the Dutch East India Company fortress at Cranganore on the Malabar Coast of India. The work illustrates the defensive bastions, internal barracks, and the strategic positioning of the fort along the waterway, including several sailing vessels in the surrounding harbor. This engraving is from the monumental eight-volume encyclopedia Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, published in Dordrecht and Amsterdam. The plate contains extensive Dutch legends at the bottom identifying various points of interest within the military installation and the proposed defensive projects initiated by Adam van der Duyn.

François Valentijn was a Dutch minister and historian who lived for many years in the East Indies while serving the Dutch East India Company. He is primarily known for his massive and comprehensive work documenting the geography, history, and ethnography of the Dutch colonial empire. Valentijn utilized his high-level connections within the company to access classified maps and secret administrative records that were otherwise unavailable to the public. His publication served as the definitive European source on the East Indies for over a century, offering unparalleled detail on the military and commercial infrastructure of the region. His legacy remains significant for preserving the visual and textual history of Dutch overseas expansion during the early eighteenth century.

Artist or Maker:
François Valentijn.

Dimensions:
Approximately 44 cm x 37 cm.

Medium:
Engraving.

Date:
1726.

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.