Vue d’une Bastion de Geneve – Antique Print from Zurlauben’s Topography

Vue d’une Bastion de Geneve  (Pres de La Porte de Suisse)

Copperplate Engraving from Baron Zurlauben’s topography published around 1780.  Dessine par Perignon ptre du Roi, Grave par I. J. Masquelier.   The letters A.P.D.R. appear on the print, which means it was engraved “avec privilège du roi” – or licensed by the king – this is an annotation which one sees only on prints published before the French revolution. It indicated the print had been approved by the French censures.

The “Porte de Suisse”was the main western gate of the old fortified city, which stood at the site of today’s Place de Neuve right in front of the Parc des Bastions near the Grand Théâtre and Musée Rath, and at the foot of the old town.  It was the main access route toward the Swiss cantons.  It was monumental, with a drawbridge over the city’s defensive ditches and was demolished in 1853 when the fortifications were removed.

Dimensions: Sheets including margins measure around 12.5 X 9.5 inches (32 X 24 cm). Image size around 8.65 x 6 inches (22 x 16 cm)

Condition: Very good.  Note that this was originally a double print in folio format.  This is the lower half of the print. Another image of Geneva appeared above it.