Catalog Archive
Auction 111, Lot 424

"Namur", Priorato, Galaezzo Gualdo

Subject: Belgium - Namur

Period: 1673 (published)

Publication: Teatro del Belgio

Color: Hand Color

Size:
16.5 x 12.2 inches
41.9 x 31 cm
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Uncommon bird's-eye fortification plan of Namur strategically located at the confluence of the Sambre River and the Meuse River. Gualdo Priorato entered military service at a very young age and served in Flanders under the Prince of Orange. During his varied military career he was knighted by the King of France and the Venetian Republic, the Pope made him a Roman noble, Christina of Sweden named him First-Gentleman, and Emperor Leopold I appointed him counselor and historiographer. After his retirement, he authored several historical accounts including the Teatro del Belgio, which described the Catholic/Protestant wars in Belgium and Netherlands during the seventeenth century. His superb plans do not show the internal layout of the cities, except for showing the locations of the major churches. Instead the emphasis is on the fortification enclosure and the outworks, as well as on the surrounding site, rivers and canals.

References: Pollak #48.

Condition: A

Couple of tiny edge tears at bottom, archivally repaired. Manuscript page number at upper right.

Estimate: $110 - $150

Sold for: $55

Closed on 6/8/2005

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