Bidspirit auction | Michiel Colijn (1584–1661) – Beleg

Michiel Colijn (1584–1661) – Beleg van Oostende: plan van de stad met alle verdedigingswerken – Etching of the Siege of Ostend (1613–1615) - This historical etching, published by Michiel Colijn in Amsterdam between 1613 and 1615, presents a bird’s-eye view of the city of Ostend and its fortifications during the infamous siege conducted by Spanish forces under Archduke Albert and later Ambrogio Spinola from 1601 to 1604. The print meticulously details the city’s ramparts, bastions, surrounding military encampments, and the strategic naval positioning along the coast. Numbered 250 and accompanied by a four-line Latin caption, the image was originally printed with Latin text on the reverse and served as a visual and historical record of one of the longest and most devastating sieges of the Eighty Years’ War.This etching was later included in Polemographia Auraico-Belgica by Willem Baudartius, published by Colijn in 1621–1622. As a publisher, Michiel Colijn (1584–1661) played a central role in disseminating high-quality engravings that documented contemporary military and political history in the Dutch Republic.Artist or Maker: Michiel ColijnDimensions: 24 cm × 32 cmMedium: Etching on paperDate: 1613–1615Condition Report:This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.