Caspar Merian, “Mont Saint-Michel”, published 1662, after Jan Peeters

Caspar Merian (1627–1686)

“Mont Saint-Michel”, published 1662

Contextual Commentary:

This is an historically important 17th-century view of the famous and dramatically spectacular fortress and abbey situated on a rocky tidal island in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel off the northwestern coast of France. The composition is designed after an original drawing by Jan Peeters the Elder (also known as Johannes Peters) (1624–c. 1677).

This panoramic coastal view of the island of Mont Saint-Michel is from the original folio page, clean-trimmed away from a separate view of Lisievs (Lisieux)—another prominent historic site in Normandy—which was originally printed directly above it on the same sheet. It was printed by Jacob van Meurs (fl. c. 1651–1680) and published in Amsterdam in the first Dutch-language edition (1662) by the widow of Joost Broersz and Caspar Merian. It served as an illustration to the third volume of the landmark four-volume atlas composed by Caspar Merian and Martin Zeiller (1589–1661): “Topographia Galliae dat is beschrijvinge van Vranckrijck ... Derde deel. T. Amsterdam” (translated: “Topographia Galliae, that is, a description of France ... Third part. Amsterdam”).

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on fine laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline on the top and sides, and with a larger margin on the lower edge. The vertical publication fold has been professionally stabilised and backed with a supportive, archival-quality sheet of Japanese washi paper.

The impression is richly inked, crisp, and evenly printed with strong tonal contrasts. The sheet is in excellent condition for its wide dimensions and considerable age, remaining free of tears, holes, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 14.5 x 31.9 cm
• Inner image borderline: 11.7 x 31 cm

In-Plate lettering:

• Upper centre: “MONT S^T. MICHEL.”
• Lower left: “Peeters del”

References:

• David Rumsey Map Collection: View item record for this specific plate layout and associated volumes via the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection — https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~312539~90081827:V--3--Lisevs--Mont-St--Michel  or access digitized records via the Internet Archive — https://archive.org/details/dr_lisevs-mont-st-michel-iohan-peeters-del-to-accompany-topographia-gall-13088284

Price & Shipping:

AU$244 (approx. US$169.56 / €150.81 / £127.20, subject to daily exchange rates). Price includes worldwide express shipping. Please note that destination import duties and local taxes remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

If you’re interested in this historically significant and detailed 17th-century panoramic view of Mont Saint-Michel—long before its iconic, 19th-century neo-Gothic spire was built—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.