VOC – Negapatnam on the Coromandel Coast

VOC – Negapatnam on the Coromandel Coast

Original antique engraving with a view on the Dutch fort Vijf Sinnen (Dutch for “the five senses”) in Negapatnam, now Nagapattinam, a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu on the Coromandel Coast. Nagapattinam was settled by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch under whom it served as the capital of Dutch Coromandel from 1660 to 1781, when the town got conquered by the British East India Company. Three Dutch East India Company (VOC) ships can be seen and numerous smaller Dutch and local boats. The Dutch flag is on the fort. In the banderol it says: “Negapatnam op de kust van Choromandel” (“Negapatnam on the coast of Choromandel”).

From: Wouter Schouten, Oost-Indische voyagie; vervattende veel voorname voorvallen en ongemeene vreemde geschiedenissen, bloedige zee- en landtgevechten tegen de Portugeesen en Makassaren. Jacob Meurs, Amsterdam (1676). Current print form the 1780 revised edition: Wouter Schouten, Reistogt naar en door Oostïndiën, waar in de voornaamste landen, steden, eilanden, bergen, rivieren, enz.; de godsdienst, wetten, zéden, gewoonten, en kléding der bijzondere volken; en het merkwaerdige in de dieren, planten en gewassen der Indischen gewesten, nauwkeurig worden beschréven. Doormengd met veele ongewoone voorvallen, zonderlinge geschiedverhaalen, getrouwe berigten van bloedige zee- en veldslagen met de Portugeesen, Makassers en anderen. Amst., M. Schalekamp, 1780, 4th rev. ed. (“in eenen verbéterden stijl en cierlyk Neêrduitsch gebragt”).

Wouter Schouten (Haarlem, September 2, 1638 – October 1704) was a Dutch surgeon on the ships of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). He published his East India Travels in 1676 and the book became an immense success.

  • Size: sheet 22x33cm, image 19x28cm
  • Age and Type: 18th century coper engraving
  • Verso: Nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain
  • Condition: very good; suitable for framing.
  • Price: 60 Euro
  • Interested? Contact me via the contact page.