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Ottoman-Habsburg Wars (1521-1791)

Images from eight wars fought between 1570 and 1718

GIOVANNI GIACOMO ROSSI (1627-91)

Budapest, 1684

Pianta, et assedio delle Cittá di BVDA, é PEST con L’accampamento del / Esercito Cesareo, passo del Danubio, et insigni Vittorie ottenute dal Serenis.mo / Sig. Duca di LORENA, alli.11. e 22. di Luglio. nelle uicinanze di Buda...

published 1684

Etching and engraving; printed on paper; gilt edges left and right; no mount | 38.8 x 52.7 cm (image and neatline) | RCIN 724028

A view of the attack on Turkish-occupied Buda by the Imperial army, commanded by Charles V, Duke of Lorraine (1643-90), resulting in a temporary victory for the Imperial forces. Great Turkish War (1683-99), Ottoman-Habsburg Wars (1526-1791).

The Imperial assault on Budapest in the summer of 1684 was part of the strategy for expelling the Ottoman forces from Europe. By the time that this print was published, at the beginning of September 1684, just six weeks after the battle which it depicts, the Imperial army, which had taken control of the lower town of Buda, was decimated by disease. A Turkish relief army arrived later in September and this, with the combination of bad weather, led to the withdrawal of the Imperial troops.

This view shows the bridge over the Danube which was destroyed by the Turks, a second bridge built of boats crossing the Island of St Andrea, an Imperial ship set on fire in order to destroy the Turkish ships lying next to Buda and the battle raging behind the city.

The copperplate from which this view was printed appears to have been very scratched and may have been used previously for another image that was imperfectly erased.

Additional text: [top left, below title, in title cartouche, a key, A-I, L-T, V to the town of Pest occupied by the Imperial army; the bridge between Buda and Pest which was destroyed by the Turks when fleeing from Imperial-occupied Pest; the Imperial batteries in Pest directed against Buda; the Imperial army marching in order to pass over the first bridge of the island of St Andrea; St Andrea with the batteries which ensured the passage of the Christian army; Imperial troops being ferried across the river with boats to make a second bridge; the village and church of St Andrea occupied by the Imperial forces; Imperial trenches between St Andrea's church and the marsh; the marsh; the Duke of Lorraine ordering the crossing of the river; the Turkish army fighting to oppose the crossing of the river by the Imperial troops; a hill near St Andrea occupied by the Imperial troops; the battle and flight of the Turks; the Imperial army marching towards Buda; Imperial galley (ship); a boat set on fire by order of the Duke of Lorraine to burn the Turkish ships at Buda; Christian and heretic sepulchres. Another key, 1- 23, identifies various buildings and parts of Buda, batteries, camps, attacks and approaches, the battle between the Turks and Christian/Imperial army on 22 July and the route and retreat of the Turks, the abandoned Turkish baggage, the returning victorious Imperialists with the standard, horse's tail, cannon, and baggage left by the Turks.

Condition: one fold line; 1.0 cm tear to top edge.
  • Giovanni Giacomo Rossi (1627-91) (printer and publisher) [top left, bottom of title cartouche:] Si stampano da Gio. Iacomo Rossi Roma alla Pace com Privileggio S. Pontefice e licenza de Sup. li 2. Settembre 1684

  • Watermark: None visible

    Condition: one fold line; 1.0 cm tear to top edge

  • 38.8 x 52.7 cm (image and neatline)

    39.2 x 53.0 cm (platemark)

    40.1 x 54.5 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    Pianta, et assedio delle Cittá di BVDA, é PEST con L’accampamento del / Esercito Cesareo, passo del Danubio, et insigni Vittorie ottenute dal Serenis.mo / Sig. Duca di LORENA, alli.11. e 22. di Luglio. nelle uicinanze di Buda, / sotto il Pontificato di N.S.P.INNOCENTIO XI. l’Anno 1684. [top left, in a cartouche surmounted by ornate strapwork and acanthus leaves flanked, on the left, by an Ottoman cavalryman mounted on a camel and, on the right, an Ottoman drummer, also on a camel]

    Additional text:

    [top left, below title, in title cartouche, a key, A-I, L-T, V to the town of Pest occupied by the Imperial army; the bridge between Buda and Pest which was destroyed by the Turks when fleeing from Imperial-occupied Pest; the Imperial batteries in Pest directed against Buda; the Imperial army marching in order to pass over the first bridge of the island of St Andrea; St Andrea with the batteries which ensured the passage of the Christian army; Imperial troops being ferried across the river with boats to make a second bridge; the village and church of St Andrea occupied by the Imperial forces; Imperial trenches between St Andrea's church and the marsh; the marsh; the Duke of Lorraine ordering the crossing of the river; the Turkish army fighting to oppose the crossing of the river by the Imperial troops; a hill near St Andrea occupied by the Imperial troops; the battle and flight of the Turks; the Imperial army marching towards Buda; Imperial galley (ship); a boat set on fire by order of the Duke of Lorraine to burn the Turkish ships at Buda; Christian and heretic sepulchres. Another key, 1- 23, identifies various buildings and parts of Buda, batteries, camps, attacks and approaches, the battle between the Turks and Christian/Imperial army on 22 July and the route and retreat of the Turks, the abandoned Turkish baggage, the returning victorious Imperialists with the standard, horse's tail, cannon, and baggage left by the Turks.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Buda 11-12 July 1684.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [top left, red pencil;] 3/118 [and black pencil:] IV/52.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Buda Pianta et Assedio delle Citta di Buda e Pest, con l’Accampamento del Esercito Cesareo, passo del Danubio et Vittorie ottenute dal Duca di Lorena alli 11 e 22 di Luglio 1684, nelle vicenanze di Buda: da G.I. Rossi.

  • Subject(s)

    Budapest, Hungary (47°28ʹ52ʺN 19°02ʹ23ʺE)

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024