ORSOWA FORTRESS SERBIA 1720 BODENEHR UNUSUAL ANTIQUE COPPER ENGRAVED CITY MAP

Orsowa.

Description: Striking and highly detailed fine unusual 1720 Gabriel Bodenehr's copper engraved map showcasing a bird's-eye plan of the fortress of Orsowa, located on the Danube River at the border of Hungary and Wallachia, below Belgrade.
 
Composition and Medium:
 
The map is a detailed etching showcasing the strategic military layout of Orsowa, featuring three distinct sections of the fortress. The use of line work and shading effectively highlights the topography and structures, providing a clear representation of the area's geographic and man-made features.
 
Style:
 
Bodenehr's style is meticulous, with an emphasis on clarity and precision. The map includes notations and a key to important sites, a common feature in military maps of this period. The style reflects the Baroque period's focus on detailed and accurate representations, often for strategic purposes.
 
Subject Matter:
 
The map depicts Orsowa as a military fortress with three parts: one on the opposite side of the Danube and another on an island called Carolina. It highlights various military installations and the surrounding geographical features that were crucial for defense and control during the Ottoman-Habsburg wars.
 
Cultural and Historical Context:
 
Orsowa was a significant military site during the late 17th and early 18th centuries due to its location near the boundary between the Ottoman Empire and Habsburg territories. The map reflects the turbulent history of the region, marked by conflicts and power struggles. In 1688, after the capture of Belgrade by Christian forces, local Serbs (Raizens) rebelled against the Turks, leading to a series of events that saw Orsowa change hands multiple times.
 
The historical narrative includes betrayals and the harsh treatment of prisoners, emphasizing the brutality of the conflicts. The map serves not only as a military tool but also as a historical record of these events.
 
Notable Features:
 
- Fortress Layout: The map clearly delineates the fortress structures and their strategic positions along the Danube.
 
- Island of Carolina: The island is prominently featured, underscoring its importance in the defense strategy.
 
- Topographical Details: Hills and other natural barriers are included, illustrating the challenges and advantages they presented to military forces.
 
Inscriptions and Annotations:
 
The map contains German inscriptions, providing explanations of the various parts of the fortress and significant locations. These annotations are crucial for understanding the strategic importance of each feature and the historical events associated with them.
 
Significance:
 
This work is significant for its detailed representation of a key military site during a period of intense conflict between the Ottoman Empire and European powers. It offers insights into the military strategies and geopolitical dynamics of the time. Additionally, it serves as a testament to the artistic and technical skills of mapmakers like Bodenehr, who contributed to the documentation and understanding of Europe's military history.
 
Overall, this map of Orsowa is an invaluable resource for scholars and historians studying the military history of Eastern Europe, providing a visual and historical context for the power struggles that shaped the region. 

Source: Force d'Europe, oder die merckwürdigst- und fürnehmste, meistentheils auch ihrer Fortification wegen berühmteste Stætte, Vestungen, Seehæfen, Pæsse, Camps de Bataille, in Europa ... in 200. Grundrissen ... verlegt und heraus gegeben von G. Bodenehr.

Date: 1720 ( undated ) 

Dimensions: Paper size approx.: cm 31,8 x 19,9

Conditions: Very strong and dark impression on good paper. Paper with chains. Map uncolored. Small foxing and browning. Conditions are as you can see in the images.

Mapmaker: Gabriel Bodenehr the Elder (ca. 1673-ca. 1766) was a German engraver and publisher. He originated views of many German cities, for example the first plan of Passau (1710), and is best known for his Atlas Curieux (1704). His son, Gabriel the Younger (1705-1779), followed his father in his profession and was also a well-known engraver.