Siege of Antwerp, 1584-5

Obsessio Antverpiae / Alexandro Imperante / ·1585·

A middle/high oblique view of the country to the west and north of Antwerp towards the end of the siege, July 1584-17 August 1585, by the Spanish army, commanded by the Prince of Parma, Alessandro Farnese (27 August 1545-3 December 1592; Duke of Parma and Piacenza 1586-1592; Governor of the Spanish Netherlands 1578-1592), which resulted in the surrender of the city by the burgomaster, Philip of Marnix, Lord of Saint-Aldegonde (1540-15 December 1598). Eighty Years War (Dutch War of Independence) (1568-1648). Oriented with west-south-west to top (compass rose).

This is a detailed topographical map showing the areas which were flooded by the Dutch to the north and north-west of Antwerp, as well as the barrier across the Scheldt which had been constructed by the Spanish. The configuration of the citadel at the northern end of Antwerp is consistent with the demolition by the Dutch, in 1577, of the walls facing the city, effectively opening the citadel up to the inhabitants at large. These walls were rebuilt by the Spanish after the siege. The encampments of the Spanish army are shown to the north of the city, to the left and above the coat of arms with the lion of Brabant.

The cartouches are highly ornamented with intricate strapwork. The coat of arms of Philip II of Spain, top left, is embellished with, to the left, the allegorical figure of justice and, to the right, the figure of peace. Below this, also surrounded by strapwork embellishment, are the arms of Alessandro Farnese. At the bottom right is a design featuring a tented pavilion, its drapes held aloft by putti, in which sit two female figures, one apparently recording measurements and the other holding a circumferentor and dividers, while other surveying and drawing instruments are tied with a bow to the centre pole of the pavilion. In tiny lettering on the pedestal below the allegorical surveying figures are the words: ‘Pet[r]us [?]oiu[?] / Montensia Hanonia [Hainault]’.

The engraved Greek key border with a rose in each corner and in the centre of the left and right sides, has been cut off this Cassiano example; it is present on the Rijksmuseum copy (RP-P-0B-80.444). Other copies of this map are BL Maps 185.m.2.(7.) and Maps 18.d.17.(170.). A manuscript map, very closely based on this map, if not directly copied from it, was made in 1691 by J.C. Van Lijere (Stadsarchief Antwerpen nr 64B/8b).