Map of Antwerp - Martinus van den Enden (I)

A detailed 1657 map of Antwerp by Martinus van den Enden (I), documenting the city layout, fortifications, and the Schelde river in the seventeenth century.

This detailed cartographic work, published by Martinus van den Enden (I) in 1657, provides a comprehensive view of Antwerp during the seventeenth century. The print captures the city layout, including the fortifications, the street network, and the proximity to the Schelde river. As a publisher and print dealer based in Antwerp, van den Enden was active in distributing works by various artists, including Anthony van Dyck. This specific map serves as a historical record of urban development, documenting the expansion of the city walls and the defensive structures that defined the period.

The composition follows the conventions of seventeenth-century cartography, combining a bird-eye view of the city with technical annotations. The upper right corner features a coat of arms, while a legend provides a key to the various locations and landmarks within the city walls. The lower section includes a detailed text block that outlines the historical growth of Antwerp, referencing specific dates and rulers. The inclusion of ships on the river adds a sense of scale and activity to the maritime environment that was essential to the city economy.

Technically, the work employs precise line work characteristic of copperplate engraving. The clarity of the street plans and the inclusion of topographical features demonstrate the technical skill required to produce such documents for public and scholarly use. The map functions as both a navigational aid and a historical document, preserving the spatial organisation of the city as it existed in the mid-seventeenth century. It offers a view into the urban planning and defensive priorities of the time, providing a clear visual account of the city structure before later industrial modifications.