The Old Print Shop

De Stadt St. Martin (St. Martin).

  • ARTIST: Arnoldus Montanus

  • PUBLISHER: Published by Jacob van Meurs, Amsterdam.

  • MEDIUM: Copper plate engraving,

    DATE: 1671.

  • EDITION SIZE: Image size 10 3/4 x 14" (272 x 356 mm).

  • DESCRIPTION: A fine view of San Martin from Montanus' "De Nieuwe en Onbekende Weereld: of Beschryving van America." Montanus' view depicts a well-fortified town and a thriving port on the island of St. Martin. A sea battle rages offshore and a key identifies major buildings and sites. Like most other Caribbean islands, St. Martin was first inhabited by a succession of native Indian groups, most notably the Arawak and Caribs. Columbus was the first European to set eyes on St. Martin, during his second voyage in 1493. He claimed it for Spain, but never established a settlement there.Instead, it was occupied by the Dutch. At this time a small band of French families also set up a colony on St. Martin, beginning what would become a centuries-long history of peaceful coexistence between the two cultures.

  • ADDITIONAL INFO:

  • CONDITION: Good condition. Black and white.

  • REFERENCE: