Bilder François Valentijn (1666–1727) – View of the City of Dabhol – India – Engraving (1726)

Beskrivning

"De Stadt Dabul" presents a panoramic coastal view of the port city of Dabhol, located on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, India. The composition depicts the city nestled at the base of lush, rolling hills with prominent fortifications and religious structures visible on the slopes. In the foreground, several European sailing vessels and local smaller craft navigate the harbor waters, emphasizing the city's importance as a significant maritime trading hub. This engraving is from the monumental eight-volume work Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, published in Dordrecht and Amsterdam. The work is topped with a decorative ribbon cartouche containing the title and reflects the Dutch East India Company interest in documenting key commercial ports.

François Valentijn was a Dutch minister and historian who spent significant time in the East Indies in the service of the Dutch East India Company. He is best known for his comprehensive encyclopedia of the region, which he compiled using a vast array of personal observations and official documents. Valentijn had unique access to the confidential archives and map collections of the company, allowing him to publish highly accurate and rare visual records of the Dutch colonial empire. His work provided the European public with its first detailed look at the geography, culture, and colonial infrastructure of the East. His legacy is defined by this massive intellectual contribution, which remains a primary source for the study of eighteenth-century global history.

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.