"Courtray", Priorato, Galaezzo Gualdo

Very uncommon bird's-eye plan of fortifications and citadel at Courtray (Kortrijk) with a small view of the city at upper right. 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: B

Light toning on fold and manuscript page number at upper right. Narrow side margins as issued.