Belgium - Lillo (Fort Lillo); Georges-Louis Le Rouge...

A rare and valuable eighteenth-century military and topographic map of the siege of Lillo, literally titled "PLAN des ATTAQUES de LILLO en 1747." This fascinating copper-plate engraving was conceived by the celebrated royal geographer Georges-Louis Le Rouge (1712–1790) and finely carved by the renowned engraver Desains — whose signature "Desains sc." is visible in the lower-right corner — to be inserted in 1747 into the renowned military work Théâtre de la dernière guerre en Flandres. The map describes with extraordinary strategic and hydrographic detail the system of river fortifications guarding the maritime access to the city of Antwerp along the Scheldt River, the scene of hard fighting during the War of the Austrian Succession. The work shows the star-shaped plans of Fort Lillo and the adjacent Fort Liefkenshoek (indicated as F. Likenhoeck), accurately delineating the dams, channels, the positions of the forts Frederick Henry and La Croix, and the surrounding historic marshlands. The composition is made unique in the lower central corner by a dramatic figurative cartouche integrated into the natural setting, showing the title inscribed on a stone shield set among tall marsh reeds, animated by the figure of a fisherman or military pioneer pushing a boat with a long pole. In the upper right there is the original typography reference "Pl. 23." Printed on sturdy contemporary wove paper, the sheet presents excellent sharpness of the graphic line and intact wide margins, qualifying as a highly valuable historical and documentary collectible. Dimensions 23 x 33 cm Will be shipped by courier.

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