Hungary - Nagykanizsa (Canischa); Eredi di Matthäus Merian - Belägerung der Türckischen Grántz- und Haupt-vöstung Canischa, in Nider Hungarn... - 1661-1680

An exceptional and detailed copper engraving (etching) with a historical-military character from the second half of the 17th century, published in Frankfurt on the Main by the heirs of the celebrated master Matthäus Merian within the monumental chronicle compendium Theatrum Europaeum. The plate documents the siege of the fortress of Nagykanizsa (indicated in the title and text as Canischa), a crucial border outpost controlled by the Ottoman Empire in Lower Hungary. As specified in the long cartouche at the top, the engraving portrays the military operations conducted between April 30 and June 2, 1664 by the Christian allied armies, led by Count Nikola Zrinski (Niclas von Serin), by the Count of Hohenlohe, and by the field general Pietro Strozzi. The topography magnificently highlights the fortress’s complex defensive network, divided between the new town (Newe Statt) and the old town (Alte Statt), entirely surrounded by an extensive unstable marsh (Morass). The scene is animated in every corner with extraordinary descriptive vigor: the meticulous encampments with hundreds of military tents are depicted, the zigzag approach trenches, the artillery positions under assault, and dramatic fires with dense clouds of smoke rising from the surrounding villages. A visually faithful document of high historical fidelity and notable decorative impact, particularly sought after by collectors of military cartography and Austro-Turkish wars of the seventeenth century.

Dimensions 31 x 19 cm
Will be shipped by courier