Italy, Genoa, Beaulieu, 1694/1850, Les Attaques de la Ville de Gennes....

Very large and rare engraving showing The Bombardment of Genoa was a military event during the War of the Reunions when France bombarded the city of Genoa from the sea between May 18 and May 28, 1684.

The Republic of Genoa was strategically a very important ally of the Spanish Empire, as the Spanish Duchy of Milan was landlocked. All transport between Spain and Milan went through the port of Genoa. Furthermore, the financing of the Spanish crown by the Genoese bankers had made both countries natural allies ever since 1557, when the state bankruptcy of Philip II had ended the reign of the German Fuggers as Spanish financiers.

After the War of Devolution and the Franco-Dutch War (1672-78), it was clear that France had replaced Spain as the most powerful country in Europe. In October 1683, France annexed some territory in the Spanish Netherlands, starting the War of the Reunions. When Spain sent reinforcements via the port of Genoa, the French decided to punish the city. Without a formal declaration of war, a French fleet, commanded by Abraham Duquesne, bombarded the city of Genoa between May 18 and May 28, 1684. About 13,000 cannonballs were shot at the city in ten days time with a pause from May 21–22. The bombardment was terrible for the city and its people. The French tried to land troops at Albaro (as a diversion) and Sampierdarena (as the main attack), but they were defeated by Genoese troops and volunteers from the Polcevera valley.

The engraving was first made by S. de Beaulieu and published in Paris in ´Les glorieuses conquestes de Louis le Grand roy de France et de Navarre dediées au roy, À Paris: chez l'autheur, 1694

Important note: This seems to be a later reprint of the original copper plate, most likely 19th century. It is printed on thick paper of around 1850 and stamped by ´L'atelier de chalcographie du Louvre´ that made high quality prints from the original copper plates.

Image 44,5x54cm, sheet 49x57cm

Reasonable condition. Several repaired tear into the image on the top repairs in the top margin, somewhat affecting the decorative border. Otherwise very good. Never folded. Beautiful clear print and nice hand coloring.