1770 Schley, Santo Domingo, Hispaniola, Dominican Republic, bird's-eye view, map

J.V. Schley

Santo Domingo, Hispaniola, Dominican Republic

Amsterdam / 1770

10.8 x 7.2 inches

27.4 x 18.3 cm

This north looking bird's-eye view of Santo Domingo shows sailing ships and sailboats in the harbour and the city stretched out to the horizon. The fortified city is protected by the sea and the Isabelle River with a complex of walls, towers and a wide moat. The central plaza features the cathedral and some poor soul has been hung in the gallows on the southeast shore. The plan is surrounded by a keyboard style border. Jakob van der Schley was a skilled draftsman and engraver who operated out of Amsterdam and had strong ties with the Hague. He was trained by Bernard Picart and his style resembles that of the elder man. Van der Schley was known for intricately engraved portraits and frontispieces. He signed most of the plates used in the Hague edition of the Abbe Prevost's Histoire generale des voyages.

Excellent condition on fine strong laid paper.