Capture of Limburg by Spanish Forces under Duke of Parma, 1578 - Engraving

The 'Battle for the Kauwenstein Dijk', engraved and titled Pugna in Aggerere Covenstio Anno 1585, depicts a significant battle during the Siege of Antwerp on 26 May 1585. The engraving illustrates the fierce combat around the Kauwenstein embankment, where the Spanish forces under the Duke of Parma attempted to cut off supplies to the city of Antwerp, leading to intense fighting. The scene vividly portrays soldiers engaged in close combat, naval forces in the background, and smoke rising from the battlefield as cannon fire and musket shots fill the air. The embankment, partially breached, is a focal point, showing the chaotic nature of the battle as forces from both sides converge. At the top, the title is inscribed in Latin, and a detailed legend (A-O) at the bottom provides further explanations about various parts of the battle, referencing key locations, troops, and actions. The detailed precision of the engraving reflects the high level of craftsmanship typical of 16th-century military engravings...

Rare engraving depicting a battle in the Eighty Year' War. The Battle of Rijmenam took place on July 31, 1578, during the early stages of the Eighty Years' War. It was a conflict between the States-General of the Netherlands and the Spanish governor-general, resulting in a Spanish defeat. The forces of the States-General set up camp at Rijmenam under the overall leadership of the Count of Boussu. Their army consisted of 12,000 infantry and 7,000 cavalry. The English mercenaries were led by Sir John Norris and Sir Richard Bingham, the Scottish mercenaries by Robert Stuart, and the French Huguenots by François de la Noue. Don Juan of Austria, the Spanish commander, commanded an army of 12,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry. He planned to attack before reinforcements from Zutphen could arrive. His subordinates, Alexander Farnese and Gabrio Serbelloni, considered this too risky, but Don Juan proceeded with his plan and launched an early morning attack on July 31. He attempted to draw Boussu out for an open field battle, but Boussu stayed behind the dug trenches. After three hours of waiting, Don Juan ordered a company of musketeers under Alonso de Leyva and three groups of cuirassiers under the Marquis del Monte to stage a feigned attack on the village's rear. In response, Boussu sent Norris to confront them. Following the initial skirmish, Scottish forces under Stuart and Spanish infantry under Fernando Álvarez de Toledo...

Wonderful copper-plate engraving after Jan Luyken Published by Marten Schagen, Amsterdam. 1724 Text on verso The measurement given is the paper size.

"Ypres, Grand Ville Riche & Marchande" is an engraving and etching by Daniel Marot (le Vieux) (1661–1752). It depicts a view of the siege of the city of Ypres and its citadel on the left in the Spanish Netherlands by Louis XIV's troops. This battle took place between March 18 and March 25, 1678, as part of the Franco-Dutch War. Marot illustrated in great detail (best appreciated with magnification) the French attack on the strong pentagonal citadel on the extreme left, which had been built recently in anticipation of a French attack. The trenches built by the French approaching the town are seen on the right. King Louis XIV can be seen in the foreground surveying the battle mounted on his white horse, surrounded by his officers and troops. The print is presented in an attractive ornate black wood frame with a cream-colored double mat with a black inner trim. It is glazed with plexiglas. The frame measures 25.38" x 22.63" x .88". The engraving, frame, mat and glazing are in excellent condition. Artist: Daniel Marot (1661–1752) was also called "Le Vieux". He was the son of the famous architect, Jean Marot. Marot had diverse interests and talents. In addition to his art, he designed garden projects, architectural ornaments, furniture, and even upholstery. Marot as a Huguenot protestant was forced to leave France in 1685 following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. He emigrated to Holland, where he worked for William of Orange (an arch enemy of his former employer Louis XIV). Marot was largely responsible for the interiors of Williams palace at the Loo. In 1694 he went Britain as William had married Queen Mary and he had become King William III of England. He later returned to Holland in about 1698 and died in the Hague in 1752. He left a lasting legacy on the decorative arts in the Netherlands, where his grand version of the Louis XIV style remained popular into the 1730s. Historical Background: In October 1677, Mary Stuart, niece and possible successor of Charles II of England, married Louis XIV's arch enemy William III of Orange...