Military Exercises Army Maurits van Nassau [Adam van Breen, 1618] Catalogue.

Das Nassausche Wapen-Handelinge, van Schilt, Spies, Rappier, ende Targe …

Catalogue of military costumes and exercises of the army of Maurits van Nassau in the Low Countries from: ‘Das Nassausche Wapen-Handelinge, van Schilt, Spies, Rappier, ende Targe …’, by Adam van Breen, published by Aert Meuris in 1618. It is similar in style to it’s earlier in 1607 published publication ‘Wapenhandelinghe ….’ by Jacob de Gheyn II.

We carry plates: 3 (in pencil), 4, 9, 10 (in pencil), again 3, 11, 15, 16, 23 and 28.

Ref: Lipperheide 2072 (calling for 47 plates). Some sources mention 49 plates.

The end of the sixteenth century saw a revival of interest in the military writings of the Romans. Translations of these works and studies of them, made their way to the commanders of the armies of the Northern Netherlands, causing the Frisian stadholder William Louis of Nassau, his brother John, and their cousin Prince Maurice to reorganise the armies under their command according to the Roman model. By thus standardising commands and instructions they managed to transform the motley mercenary troops with whom they had to fight the unequal battle against Parma’s regiments, into a well-disciplined army, ready for battle. In 1595 Maurits started experiments with sixty orthodox armed soldiers to fight against twenty soldiers armed in the Roman tradition with swords and shields…

The illustrations were designed by the painter Adam van Breen, who was working in The Hague from 1611 to c. 1618, and had his drawings engraved by various artists. On 8 December 1617 he sold the copperplates to the Hague printer and bookseller Aert Meuris, who wanted to publish them in book form. When it was published it only bore the name of Van Breen, without the imprint of Aert Meuris.

This work this is considered by some as the most beautiful military work ever published.

Size: Image size c. 18,5×25 cm.

Medium: Copperplate engraving on hand laid paper with watermarks (coat of arms, horn).

Condition: mostly good; General age related toning; some soiling, mostly in margins. Inquire about condition of specific prints in collection or study scans carefully.

We absolutely guarantee the authenticity of this item. These are original prints from 1618!

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