Beleg en inname van Sint-Andries door Maurits - Pieter Bast

A detailed 1600 etching by Pieter Bast documenting the siege and capture of Fort Sint-Andries during the Eighty Years' War.

This etching by Pieter Bast depicts the siege and capture of Fort Sint-Andries in 1600. The work functions as a military map, documenting the strategic manoeuvres of Maurice of Nassau during the Eighty Years' War. Bast, a cartographer and engraver, provides a bird's-eye view of the terrain, showing the confluence of the Meuse and Waal rivers. The composition is organised to clarify the placement of troops, fortifications, and supply lines.

The print displays the characteristic style of early seventeenth-century Dutch military cartography. Bast employs a high vantage point, allowing the viewer to observe the entire theatre of operations. The rivers are labelled clearly, and the fortifications are rendered with geometric precision. Small figures represent infantry and cavalry units, providing a sense of scale and activity across the battlefield. The surrounding earthworks and encampments are delineated with thin, precise lines, typical of the copperplate engraving techniques of the period.

As a historical document, the print captures the tactical nature of the conflict. The fort itself, located at the centre of the confluence, is shown under pressure from the surrounding forces. Bast includes Latin inscriptions to identify key locations, such as the fort and the rivers, which was common practice for maps intended for a learned audience. The work offers a clear view of the engineering efforts required for such a siege, including the construction of trenches and defensive positions. This print is a valuable record of Dutch military history, reflecting the technical approach to warfare and mapmaking at the turn of the century.