Rare Engraving of an Important Polish-Ottoman War Battle

"Plan Exact des Fortifications du Chateau de Cochzim sur le Niester, avec les Forts et Retranchemens de l'Armee des Turcs Defaite en 1673 par Jean Sobieski...", Aa, Pieter van der

This striking and rare engraving depicts the Battle of Khotyn (or Battle of Chocim), an important battle in the Polish-Ottoman War (1672-76) that took place on November 10 and 11, 1673. Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Hetman John Sobieski led 30,000 men to victory against 35,000 Ottoman forces. The following year, Sobieski won the royal election and became the king of Poland. Based on a drawing by Francesco Gratta the Younger that was later engraved by Romain de Hooghe, this engraving presents a stunning view of the carnage of a battle with an estimated 22,000 casualties. Violence spreads across the landscape with fighting spilling into the Dniester, which runs through the middle of the view. A key in the top left and right corners with French text provides the explanation of what is happening in all the chaos. Across the top of the map, there is a martial-themed decoration with a Latin motto: VICIT VIM VIRTUS, IN VIA VIRTUTI NULLA EST VIA.

References: cf. Phillips (A) #3485 v.44-14.

Condition: A

A dark impression issued folding with a hint of toning along one fold and a few rust spots. There is a binding trim at lower right.