Titelblad voor de prentserie 'Le magnifique chasteau de Richelieu' - Anna Beeck

A seventeenth-century title page for an architectural series documenting the Château de Richelieu, featuring precise typography and hand-applied colour.

This title page, attributed to the Dutch engraver Anna Beeck, serves as the introduction to a series documenting the architectural grandeur of the Château de Richelieu. The work displays the formal typographic conventions of the late seventeenth century, utilising a clear, structured layout to convey the scope of the accompanying architectural plans, elevations, and profiles. The text details the involvement of Jacques le Mercier, the architect, and Jean Marot, who performed the engraving and reduction of the designs.

Visually, the composition is defined by a central rectangular field set against a contrasting border. The use of colour is restrained, applying a soft pink wash to the main text area, framed by a yellow border with a thin red outline. This approach reflects the period practice of hand-colouring printed matter to add clarity and visual interest to technical documents. The typography is precise, featuring a mix of Roman and italicised scripts that guide the reader through the descriptive information regarding the estate, including its courtyards, stables, and the church within the town of Richelieu.

Anna Beeck was active in The Hague during the late seventeenth century, producing various maps and architectural prints. Her work often involved the reproduction of existing designs for wider circulation. This specific title page is a fine example of how architectural documentation was presented to the public, blending technical information with a clean, graphic aesthetic. The print provides a window into the dissemination of French Baroque architectural ideals through Dutch printmaking channels. It remains a clear record of the collaborative nature of architectural publishing in the early modern period, where architects, engravers, and publishers worked in concert to document the built environment for a scholarly and aristocratic audience.