Italy - Mantua; Gabriel Bodenehr il Vecchio (1664–1758). - MANTOVA / MANTUA (Pianta topografica della città fortificata di Mantova circondata dai laghi del - 1721-1750

Refined eighteenth-century engraving of the fortified city of Mantua, famous fortress surrounded by the waters of the lakes formed by the Mincio river (Lake Paiolo, Lake Sopra, Lake Mezzo and Lake Sotto). At the top center the title MANTOVA appears in a ribbon cartouche, while in Lake Sotto a wind rose is engraved beside some small sailing boats. The fortified bridges connecting to the mainland, the defensive bastions (including the citadel of Porto at the top left, San Giorgio on the right and the Forte di Pietole / Cerese at the bottom) and the urban fabric with red-tiled roofs are clearly depicted. On the left margin, inside the copper plate margin, is inscribed a column of historical-descriptive text in German entitled MANTUA that narrates the military events and the siege of the city during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1702).

State of preservation

• Engraving and coloring. Excellent impression, sharp and clean, enhanced by a pleasing hand-applied watercolor coloring that highlights the red of the roofs, the green of the countryside and fortifications, and the blue of the lakes.