Uncommon bird's-eye fortification plan depicts Antwerp located on the bank of the river Scheldt. The unusual plan emphasizes the military rather than the internal layout of the city depicting only the major churches, military barracks, citadel and the interior and exterior walls and canals. The surrounding countryside is graphically depicted with fields and villagers and numerous ships and boats in the river.

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.

References: Pollak #48.

Condition: B

No side margins, as issued. Tiny tear in bottom margin.