Search "" as a keyword...
Filter suggestionsContinue typing to see suggestions...
The Seven Years War (1756-63)

Manuscript and printed maps and views, correspondence and journals from the first global war

J.F.C. SCHILLING (ACTIVE 1737-67)

Krefeld, 1758

PLAN, / de la Bataille, dans la Plaine de Creveld, / donné le 23me Jun: 1758 entre L’Armée Alliée de / Sa Maÿ: Brtiannique, sous les Ordres de M.r le Duc Ferdinand de Brunsvic, et L’Armée Francoi= /se, sous les Ordres de M.r le...

1767

Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: not stated. 1:46,900 approx. | RCIN 732063

A map of the Battle of Krefeld, fought on 23 June 1758 between the Allied army commanded by Field Marshal Ferdinand, Prince of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1721-92), and the French, commanded by Louis, Count of Clermont (1709-71), resulting in an Allied victory. Seven Years War (1756-63). Oriented with south-west to top.

A medley comprising a map represented in coup l'oeil with three views, a sheet of letterpress 'Nouvelles Ordinaires', and the sheet of poetry, lying on a map of Novia Scotia – the location of the siege and capture of Louisbourg by the British in 1758. All these artifacts are portrayed lying at random angles on a sheet of paper painted with stripes in different colours.

The poem is dedicated to George III and transcribes as follows (transcription and translation provided by Wolf Burchard):

Die
Sehnlichen Wüsche und Hoffnung zu der
Allerhöchsten Gegenwart
Ihro Königlichen Majestät von Groß-
Britannien GEORG den Illten
in Dero Teutschen Landen haben Dero
getreuen Untertanen ihre Allerunterthä-
nigste Ehrfurchts volle Freude und Liebe
in folgenden bezeugen wollen.
 
Großmächtiger, wann wird Dein Purpur
bey uns glänzen,
wo auch Dein Bildnis schon, in uns'ren Selen prangt.
Das Teutschlands Aug und Rath, und über deßen Gränzen
Des Weisen Fürsten Ruhm, mit vollem Recht erlangt.
 
Lass grosser König doch, von Deinem holden Blicken
Nur einen wie Dein Geist, sonst überflüssig pflegt,
Hie Deine Knechte auch, der Sonnen gleich erquicken,
Die vor Dein Angesicht, die Erhfurcht niederlegt.
 
Vergönne das wir Dir des Saum in Demuth Küßen,
Und in Gehorsam Dir, stets unseren Herzen weih'n,
So die Verbindlichkeit, Dir wird aufopfern müßen,
Als die Großmächtigster, Dir schon gewidmet seyn.
 
Dein hocherhab'ner Glantz, heißt uns zurücke treten,
Und uns're Niedrigkeit, hemmt uns're Sinne schon,
Wir wollen aber stet,s auf unsern Knien beten,
Für Dich gecröntes Haupt, und Deinen Heiligen
Thron.

The poem translates:

The most ardent wishes and hopes for the
highest presence of
Your/His Royal Majesty of Great-
Britain GEORGE the IIIrd
in His German lands, his
loyal subjects want to give evidence
of their most humble [and] reverend Joy and Love.
           
Great and Mighty, when will your purple/crimson
shine with us [as in 'here in Hanover],
where your portrait likeness is already emblazoned in our souls.
So that Germany's eye and guidance, and beyond its boundaries
obtains with full right the fame of the wise Prince.
 
Allow us to kiss your hemline with humbleness
And in obedience to you, always dedicate our hearts,
Thus, the liability, which will have to be sacrifice to you,
As the, Great and Powerful, that is already dedicated to you
 
Your highly exalted shine, tells us to step back,
And our lowliness, already inhibits our senses,
We shall pray always on our knees,
For you, crowned head, and your Holy
Throne.

Additional text: [top right of map, in an ornamental cartouche incorporating flags, drums, cannon balls and a shield bearing the motto 'Tendit ad Ardua Virtus', a key, A-I, K-N, to the details on the map:] Explication. [Bottom right, a four-verse poem addressed to George III begins:] Die / Sehnlichsten Wünsche und Hoffnung zu der / Allerhöchsten Gegenwart / Ihro Königliche Majestät von Groß / Brittannien GEORGE den IIIten / in Dero Teutschen Landen …

Condition: one fold line; small piece missing, top left; small tears to bottom edge; surface dirt. Verso: heavy surface dirt.
  • J.F.C. Schilling (active 1737-67) (draughtsman) [bottom right of bottom left view:] Fait à Stade le 8me Maÿ / 1767 / par J.F.C. Schilling / Capitaine.

  • Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield suspending a beehive, the name C & I HONIG below; countermark: IV

    Mark, stamped: 847

    Condition: one fold line; small piece missing, top left; small tears to bottom edge; surface dirt. Verso: heavy surface dirt

  • Scale: not stated. 1:46,900 approx.

    51.9 x 72.8 cm (image and sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    PLAN, / de la Bataille, dans la Plaine de Creveld, / donné le 23me Jun: 1758 entre L’Armée Alliée de / Sa Maÿ: Brtiannique, sous les Ordres de M.r le Duc Ferdinand de Brunsvic, et L’Armée Francoi= /se, sous les Ordres de M.r le Comte de Clermont. [bottom left of map]

    Additional text:

    [top right of map, in an ornamental cartouche incorporating flags, drums, cannon balls and a shield bearing the motto 'Tendit ad Ardua Virtus', a key, A-I, K-N, to the details on the map:] Explication. [Bottom right, a four-verse poem addressed to George III begins:] Die / Sehnlichsten Wünsche und Hoffnung zu der / Allerhöchsten Gegenwart / Ihro Königliche Majestät von Groß / Brittannien GEORGE den IIIten / in Dero Teutschen Landen …

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Battle of Crevelt 23 June 1758.

    Other annotations: none.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Crevelt. Plan dessiné de la Bataille dans la Plaine de Creveld, donné le 23 Juin 1758, entre l’Armée Alliée de sa Majesté Britannique sous les ordres du Duc Ferdinand de Brunswic, et l’Armée Francoise commandée par le comte de Clermont: par le Capitaine Schilling, 1767.

  • Subject(s)

    Krefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (51°20'00"N 06°34'00"E)

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    D. Shawe-Taylor (ed.), The first Georgians Art & Monarchy 1714-1760, London, 2014, p. 133; illustrated on the endpapers.

    Exhibited:

    London, Queens Gallery: The first Georgians, (2014).

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024