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Turning back the page on the siege of Maastricht
Siege de Mastrik 1748 [Siege of Maastricht].
- Author: STRIEDBECK, Jean
- Publication place: Strasbourg,
- Publisher: Jean Striedbeck,
- Publication date: 1748.
- Physical description: Engraved grisaille map on silk with trompe l'oeil features, with additional silk panel attached to centre offering additional details on verso, including an extract from a newspaper with regiment information, an inset map of Eigenbilzen and of the route the troops took to march into Maastricht.
- Dimensions: 280 by 422mm. (11 by 16.5 inches).
- Inventory reference: 15649
Notes
This plan of the 1748 siege of Maastricht in grisaille offers a wide range of details on the event with a trompe l'oeil device to make it look as if the top sheet with the detailed view of the city's fortification has been scrolled back to reveal a map below showing the town and its surroundings. This illusionary device cleverly comes to life with the inclusion of an additional silk sheet affixed to the centre of the plan, which folds open to reveal charts and details on the regiments and plan of attack.
Printed maps sometimes feature the trompe l'oeil technique to provide the illusion of a page being turned back as if several maps were placed on top of each other and just visible behind this lifted corner. Jakob Funck's maps in Marc Guérard d'Illens 'Plan et Journaux des Sieges de la Derniere Guerre de Flandres' (1750) includes a map of the siege of Maastricht (plate 24). The present map cites Funck, a Swedish military engineer, in the imprint.
The siege took place in April and May 1748 during the War of the Austrian Succession. Under the command of Maurice de Saxe, a French force captured the Dutch fortress of Maastricht. Maastricht eventually capitulated and marched out with the honours of war. Due to the town's strategic position straddling the river Maas, Maastricht has been under the control of not only the Dutch, but also the Spanish (1579-1632), and the French (1673-1678, and the present occupation of 1748). Each subsequent conquest led to the construction of ever greater fortifications.
Rare. We are only able to trace one institutional copy found with the Lund University Library, Sweden, printed on paper rather than silk.
Printed maps sometimes feature the trompe l'oeil technique to provide the illusion of a page being turned back as if several maps were placed on top of each other and just visible behind this lifted corner. Jakob Funck's maps in Marc Guérard d'Illens 'Plan et Journaux des Sieges de la Derniere Guerre de Flandres' (1750) includes a map of the siege of Maastricht (plate 24). The present map cites Funck, a Swedish military engineer, in the imprint.
The siege took place in April and May 1748 during the War of the Austrian Succession. Under the command of Maurice de Saxe, a French force captured the Dutch fortress of Maastricht. Maastricht eventually capitulated and marched out with the honours of war. Due to the town's strategic position straddling the river Maas, Maastricht has been under the control of not only the Dutch, but also the Spanish (1579-1632), and the French (1673-1678, and the present occupation of 1748). Each subsequent conquest led to the construction of ever greater fortifications.
Rare. We are only able to trace one institutional copy found with the Lund University Library, Sweden, printed on paper rather than silk.
Provenance
Provenance
1. Axel von Fersen (1755-1810)
Axel von Fersen (1755-1810) was a notable Swedish count and aide-de-camp to Jean-Baptiste Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau in the American Revolutionary War. Rochambeau took part in the 1748 Siege of Maastricht, and it is possible that von Fersen received the silk map, a souvenir from the siege, from his mentor. Von Fursen is remembered for his close friendship (if not more) with Marie Antoinette and his ardent defence of the monarchy during the Revolution.
2. Fabian von Fersen (1762-1818), and by descent.
With notation on the back: Cette carte sur soie a appartenu au comte Axel de Fersen, devemu colonel propriétaire du régiment Royal Suédois in 1783. Elle lui avait été remise, ainsi qu'aux officiers supérieurs du régimenten souvenir de las prise de Maastricht en 1748 à lacquelle le Royal Suédois avait vaillammente participé.
This silk card belonged to Count Axel de Fersen, who became the colonel who owned the Royal Swedish regiment in 1783. It was given to him, as well as to the senior officers of the regiment in memory of the capture of Maastricht in 1748 when the Royal Swedish valiantly participated.
1. Axel von Fersen (1755-1810)
Axel von Fersen (1755-1810) was a notable Swedish count and aide-de-camp to Jean-Baptiste Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau in the American Revolutionary War. Rochambeau took part in the 1748 Siege of Maastricht, and it is possible that von Fersen received the silk map, a souvenir from the siege, from his mentor. Von Fursen is remembered for his close friendship (if not more) with Marie Antoinette and his ardent defence of the monarchy during the Revolution.
2. Fabian von Fersen (1762-1818), and by descent.
With notation on the back: Cette carte sur soie a appartenu au comte Axel de Fersen, devemu colonel propriétaire du régiment Royal Suédois in 1783. Elle lui avait été remise, ainsi qu'aux officiers supérieurs du régimenten souvenir de las prise de Maastricht en 1748 à lacquelle le Royal Suédois avait vaillammente participé.
This silk card belonged to Count Axel de Fersen, who became the colonel who owned the Royal Swedish regiment in 1783. It was given to him, as well as to the senior officers of the regiment in memory of the capture of Maastricht in 1748 when the Royal Swedish valiantly participated.
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Find Us
New York
PO Box 329, Larchmont, NY, USA
Opening hours, London Gallery
Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday: by appointment
Closed: all bank holidays and 1-31 August
Opening hours, New York
By appointment only