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Description

Fine example of Jan Baptiste Vrients' rare plan of the Siege of Oostende in 1603.

Extremely rare bird's-eye view plan showing the construction of fortifications during the final stages of the siege of Oostende.

The map includes 5 text boxes across the top, including 4 boxes providing details of the progress of fortifying Oostende before the Siege and June 9, July 26, August 9, and January 26, 1604, with a key describing the progress of the fortifications.

At the bottom there three further explanations locating important places in the view, including "Declaration des parties du Camp, vers le quartier de St. Albert" with a key to 22 locations; "Declaration des boulevarts forts, et redouttes de la ville." with a key to 20 locations and "Declaration des parties du Cam, vers le quartier du Comte de Bucquoy." with a key to 17 locations.

The view notes that it was published in Antwerp by Vrients: (En Anvers, Chez Iehan Baptista Vrints, rue dicte, la Lombarde-veste, a l'enseigne de l'Escu d'Espaigne.)

The view is of the utmost rarity. It was unknown to the great 19th Century Bookseller Frederick Muller and may be described by Verbouwe (238), although it is possible that Verbouwe may have only seen a fragment of the view, as his description does not appear to be the same as this map and it is also possible that he may have seen a different state of the map. The view bears some relationship to a 1604 broadside by Jean Le Clerc, entitled: Exacte description de la ville d'Ostende, par la delineation vraye de ses Forts, Esperons, Ravelins, Havres, Tranchées, Boulevars, Contrescarpes et autres circonstances du siége d'icelle, commencé par l'archiduc d'Austriche le 5 julliet 1601... , which includes two text columns below the map and then a 4 part description of the various Quarters.

We also note that the map is listed in Topografisch-historische atlas. Catalogus van de topografisch-historische atlas / K. Devolder, as entry #2341, which gives the following title:

"VRAYE DELINEATION DE LA VILLE D'OSTENDE, ASSIEGÉE PAR LE SERENIS. PRINCE ALBERTVS ARCHIDVCQ D'AVSTRIE, DVC DE BRABANT, CONTE DE FLANDRES, &c. FAICTE PAR LES INGENIEVRS DVDICT ARCHID. &c. LE 10.DE IVLLET L'AN 1603." - Januari-juli 1604: beleg van Oostende door aartshertog Albrecht. Ets, prent 34,2 x 44,6 cm; moet 38,5 x 45,6 cm; blad 44,3 x 55,8 cm. EN ANVERS, Chez Iehan Baptista Vrints, ruë dicte, la Lombarde-veste a l'enseigne de l'Escu d'Espaigne. Met 6 legendes: - "Anno 1604. le 26. de Ianuier. EXPLICATION DES NOVVEAVX OVVRAGES TANT DE LA PART DE SON ALTEZZE SEREME. QVE DE LA PART DE L'ENNEMI." (van a tot f).- "Anno 1604. le 9. de Iuing. EXPLICATION DES NOVVEAVX OVVRAGES DE LA PART DE SON ALTEZZE SEREME." (van g tot m).- "Anno 1604. le 26. de Iuillet." (van n tot r).- "Declaration des parties du Camp, vers le quartier de St. Albert." (van 1 tot 22).- "Declaration des bouleuarts forts, et redouttes de la ville." (van A tot V).- "Declaration des parties du Camp, vers le quartier du Comte de Bucqouy." (van 1 tot 17).

See below for link: search.arch.be/eadsearch/inventaris/index/eadid/BE-A0510_002394_003491_DUT/inventarisnr/I349100001181/level/file