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Miscellaneous

Maps, views and diagrams of military reviews and encampments

ANONYMOUS

Brno, 1645

1645 or later

Etching and engraving on paper. Printed from two copperplates on two sheets of paper then joined; the plans are positioned side by side, part of the right-hand map is engraved on the copperplate of the left-hand map; formerly mounted on paper [trace of Mount Type A or B on verso] | 46.5 x 82.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 723054

Two maps of Brno, besieged between 3 May and 23 August 1645 by the Swedish army under the command of Lennart Torstensson, Count of Ortala (17 August 1603-7 April 1651) against the defence of the city by Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches (16 August 1608-12 August 1682) resulting in the lifting of the siege by the Swedes following the withdrawal of support by Transylvanian soldiers. Thirty Years War (1618-1648) Oriented with south-west to top (compass rose).

The left-hand map shows, at a larger scale than the accompanying map, the trenches and approaches surrounding Špilberk (or Spielberg) Castle on the south-west side of the town. The right-hand plate shows, at a smaller scale, the whole town and the sourrounding camps of the Swedes together with the trenches and field fortifications, lines of circumvallation and ruined, roofless houses and the approaches of ‘Mortaign’ (possibly Kaspar Kornelius Mortaigne de Potelles [1609-18 July 1647]) and ‘Altenblaw’ (Altenblau) on the west side and the approaches of ‘Obrist Poichel’ (Jörgen Paykull 2 February 1605-1 February 1657) on the east side of the city. This smaller-scale map appears to have been updated by the addition in outline of a line of fortification which has been engraved over the original detail.

The smaller-scale map on the right-hand plate carries letter and numbers which relate to a key which is not present in the collection. The two coats of arms which appear on the right-hand plate have not been identified specifically (they are not those of either Torstensson or de Souches) but relate to the Habsburg/Holy Roman Empire.

  • Anonymous (printmaker)

  • Watermark: None visible

    Condition: These two sheets were formerly separate and placed one on top of the other and then folded together; three fold lines visible; after enough time had elapsed for the fold lines to become discoloured, the two sheets were flattened and pasted together; remains of a mount appear on the verso; three slits/tears along the side of the strip of mount; one further slit/tear to a vertical fold line; pressure marks from the mounts of items which were kept below the map in a different collection are present on the verso of the right hand plate. Brown discolouration to right hand plate.

  • 46.5 x 82.0 cm (whole object)

  • Printed title:

    None

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Brunn in Moravia besieged by the Swedes, under Torstenson in 1645, and defended by Souches

    Other annotations: (Recto) none (Verso) [top left, black pencil:] Brunn

    George III catalogue entry:

    Brunn Plans of the Town and Castle of Brunn in Moravia, besieged by the Swedes under Torstenson in 1645, and defended by Souches. 2 sheets.

  • Subject(s)

    Brno, South Moravian Region, Czech Republic (49°11ʹ42ʺN 16°36ʹ28ʺE)

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    http://www.30jaehrigerkrieg.de/44098/ (accessed 15/02/2018) Gives an account of Paykull, from: Dr B. Warlich, Der Dreissigjährige Krieg in Selbstzeugnissen, Chroniken und Berichten

    http://www.30jaehrigerkrieg.de/?s=mortaign (accessed 15/03/2018) Gives an account of the Mortaigne de Potelles. No expansion of the name ‘Altenblau’ is yet given by this project

    M. McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo. Part II, Architecture, Topography and Military Maps, 3 vols, London 2019, cat. no. 3167

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024