Franco-Spanish War (1635-59)
Contemporary maps and prints of the major battles and sieges from 1635 to 1658
View of the Battle of Tornavento, 1636 (Oleggio, Piedmont, Italy) 45°35ʹ48ʺN 08°38ʹ32ʺE; (Tornavento, Lombardy, Italy) 45°34ʹ58ʺN 08°42ʹ54ʺE
1636 or laterEtching and engraving; printed on paper; mounted on paper (Mount Type A); gilt edges left and top | 23.9 x 34.2 cm (image and sheet) | RCIN 722104
A high oblique etched view of the Battle of Tornavento, fought on 22 June 1636 between the French, commanded by Charles de Créquy, Duc de Lesdiguières (1578-1638) and Victor Amadeaus, Duke of Savoy (8 May 1587-7 October 1637) and the Spanish, commanded by the Marquis of Leganés (1580-1655) resulting in a French-Savoyard victory. Franco-Spanish War (1635-1659). Oriented with west to top.
The 'Sperone' which is mentioned in the title is now represented by a building in the tiny administrative area of Alzaia del Naviglio, a small settlement just a few metres to the south. It is on the east bank of the River Ticino. The river, which today marks the boundary between Piedmont on the west, and Lombardy on the east, has changed course over the centuries since this print was made. It is unclear what the symbol, which links 'il Sperone' with the island represents. It may be a ford. A pontoon bridge to the right of this feature is followed, a little further upstream, by a representation of a ferry which is prevented from being drawn in to the adjacent whirlpool by being attached by a rope to an overhead line which is anchored by a post on each bank of the river.
Anonymous (printmaker)
Subject(s)
Army-FranceArmy-SpainWatermark: Map: none. Mount: none.
Condition: four fold lines. Verso: fold lines are marked by surface dirt. Pressure marks from the mounts of items which were kept above and below this print in a different collection are present on the recto and verso
23.9 x 34.2 cm (image and sheet)
cropped (platemark)
39.3 x 50.6 cm (mount)
Printed title:
Disegno del Porto di Olegio et Sperone con il sitto doue Segui la Battalia / il di 22 Guigno, 1636 che duro hore 15. [top left]
Additional text:
[bottom left, in cartouche representing a block of rough stone, a key, A-F to the features on the print.]
Annotations:
George III heading: The Duke of Savoy and Marshal Crequi defeat the Spaniards under the Marquis of Leganes at Tornavento near Olegio on the 22.d June 1636.
Other annotations: (Recto) [top left, black pencil:] 1636 [and an erased old heading in black pencil.] (Verso) none.
George III catalogue entry:
Olegio Disegno del Porto di Olegio et Sperone con il sitto dove segui la Battalia il di 22 Giugno 1636. (The Duke of Savoy and Marshal Crequi defeat the Spaniards under the Marquis of Leganes at Tornavento near Olegio.)
Subject(s)
Oleggio, Piedmont, Italy (45°35ʹ48ʺN 08°38ʹ32ʺE)
Tornavento, Lombardy, Italy (45°34ʹ58ʺN 08°42ʹ54ʺE)
Bibliographic reference(s)
M. McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo. Part II, Architecture, Topography and Military Maps, 3 vols, London 2019, cat. no. 3001
Page revisions
25 May 2024
Current version
