Catalog Archive
Auction 111, Lot 426

"Lilla", Priorato, Galaezzo Gualdo

Subject: Belgium - Lille

Period: 1673 (published)

Publication: Teatro del Belgio

Color: Hand Color

Size:
15.6 x 12 inches
39.6 x 30.5 cm
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Very uncommon and handsome plan of the fortifications of Lille 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 (illustrated p. 83).

Condition: A

Light foxing in blank margins. Manuscript page number at upper right.

Estimate: $110 - $150

Sold for: $80

Closed on 6/8/2005

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