DAUGAVGRIVA LATVIA 1720 BODENEHR UNUSUAL ANTIQUE COPPER ENGRAVED CITY MAP

Die Haupt Vestung Dunamunder Schanz Wetche die Saxen Anno 1700. Augustusburg nandetn, aber A° 1703 auff Discretion wider augffgeben muessen.

Description: Striking and highly detailed fine unusual 1720 Gabriel Bodenehr's copper engraved map featuring a city plan of  Daugavgriva, nera Riga, Latvia. A decorative title cartouche with figures and an inset map of the estuary of the Daugava River and surrounding area including the nearby city of Riga complete the map.

Composition and Medium:

The work is an engraved map, typical of the early 18th-century cartography, illustrating the strategic military design of Dunamunde. It features intricate line work, with a focus on the geometric layout of the fortifications. The star-shaped fortress is prominent, demonstrating the bastion fort style that was prevalent in European military architecture at the time.

Style and Subject Matter:

The map uses a combination of detailed line engravings and textual annotations. The style is reflective of Baroque cartography, characterized by decorative elements, as seen in the ornate cartouche at the top of the map. This cartouche includes allegorical figures, possibly representing military power and strategy, which were common in maps of this period.

The subject matter is military, focusing on the strategic significance of the fortress at the mouth of the Daugava River. The map emphasizes the layout and defensive structures, illustrating the importance of Dunamunde in controlling access to Riga and the Baltic Sea.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The map was created during a period of significant military and political activity in Europe, particularly involving the Baltic region. Dunamunde was a crucial point for controlling naval access to Riga, an important port city. The detailed depiction of the fortifications reflects the era's emphasis on military engineering and the need for robust defenses against sieges.

Notable Features:

- Fortress Design: The star-shaped design of the fortress is a key feature, illustrating the advanced military architecture of the time, intended to withstand artillery attacks.
- Cartouche: The decorative cartouche contains a title and possibly references to the map's creation, surrounded by allegorical figures symbolizing military themes.
- Inscriptions: Textual descriptions accompany the map, providing context and details about the fortress and its strategic importance.
- River and Sea Labels: The map labels the surrounding geographical features, such as the Dvina River and the Baltic Sea, indicating their strategic relevance.


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 33 x 20
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.