Amsterdam – Hendrik de Leth, 1736-1737

“PLAN TRES EXACT DE LA VILLE FAMEUSE MARCHANDE D’AMSTERDAM” [very exact plan of the famous merchant city of Amsterdam]. Copper engraving printed on two sheets, made by Hendrik de Leth, published in 1736–1737. With original hand colouring. Size: 57.5 × 88 cm.

On 24 and 27 April 1734, the following advertisement appeared in the Amsterdamsche Courant: “In Amsterdam, at the Beurssluys, Hendrik de Leth now publishes an entirely new and accurate plan of the city of Amsterdam, with many additions not found on any previous maps; adorned on either side with the coats of arms of the Honourable and Most Noble Gentlemen Burgomasters of this city, from the Reformation to the present day, carefully reviewed by notable connoisseurs.” Buyers could choose between a luxurious version—flanked by coats of arms of the city’s mayors—and a more modest version without these heraldic panels. This example concerns the latter, without coats of arms.

Among many competitors (such as Covens & Mortier), Hendrik de Leth managed to produce a reliable map that was particularly useful within the city’s administrative apparatus. Despite its elegant French title, likely intended for ceremonial or representative purposes, the rest of the print is entirely in Dutch, making it more accessible to professional and municipal users.

Below the title appears the phrase: “Gravée et mis au jour Par Henry de Leth a l’enseigne du Pecheur” — which translates as: “Engraved and brought to light by Hendrik de Leth under the sign of the Fisherman.” This refers to the former publishing house of Nicolaes Visscher II, which retained that name even after his death in 1702. Both Hendrik de Leth and his father Andries had worked in Visscher’s shop during his lifetime. After Visscher’s passing, his widow Elisabeth Verseyl continued the business until 1726. Around 1720, however, Andries de Leth had already taken over its daily operations. When he died in 1731, his son Hendrik assumed control and continued using the well-established name.

The map itself is exceptionally clear and legible, with only the principal buildings shown in elevation. De Leth based his city plan on an older model, but completely redesigned the decorative elements. One subtle innovation is the way he added cast shadows to the engraved buildings in elevation — a feature not seen on earlier plans. The light falls from the left, consistent with the morning sun in the east.

To the left of the decorative, open curtain, we see a “Caarte van Amstelland” (Map of Amstelland). In the legend block in the upper right corner, nine buildings are marked with the letter “I.” A note explains: “NB: where an ‘I’ appears, it indicates Jansenists.” Jansenism — named after Cornelius Jansenius (1585–1638) — was a religious and political movement of the 17th and 18th centuries, especially influential in France. It arose in reaction to developments within the Catholic Church and the absolutism of contemporary monarchs. Jansenists were known for their ascetic rejection of worldly life and their pessimistic ethics. Among other things, they also rejected papal infallibility. The fact that buildings associated with Jansenism are singled out on this map suggests that Hendrik de Leth, both engraver and publisher, may have been sympathetic to this political-religious current.

The central cartouche beneath the map is tastefully and carefully designed. The title is integrated into a group of allegorical figures: the maiden of the city is flanked by the two lions of the Amsterdam coat of arms and by the river gods of the Amstel and the IJ, while Fortuna rises from the sea. The compass rose and scale bar are given a three-dimensional sculptural quality and are visually embedded within the scene. The city’s seal and arms, shown at the top of the map, are held aloft by two putti.

Literature: Marc Hameleers – Kaarten van Amsterdam 1538-1865, no. 114 p.228-231

Price: Euro 2.350,- (incl. frame)
RESERVED