Batavia - Prevost 1731

Plan of Batavia (Jakarta)
Drawn/Published by: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (Engraved by Jakob van der Schley)
Published in: Paris / The Hague
Year: c. 1746–1754 (Depicting changes from 1731 to 1750)
From: Histoire Générale des Voyages by Abbé Prévost
Condition: Hand-coloured copperplate engraving

A Detailed Record of the Dutch Colonial Capital
This fine mid-18th-century plan provides a comprehensive view of Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) at the peak of its development under the Dutch East India Company (VOC). It is one of the most iconic renderings of the "Queen of the East," illustrating the city’s complex network of canals and defensive fortifications.

Chronological Updates
This specific edition is highly valued for documenting the urban transformation of the city over two decades. It meticulously notes the changes made to the city's layout between 1731 and 1750, offering a rare side-by-side historical reference within a single engraving. 

Key Features & Landmarks

• Batavia Castle (Kasteel Batavia): The massive Dutch fortress guarding the river mouth is shown in its full architectural detail before its eventual demolition in the early 19th century.
• The Canal Network: The map highlights the intensive canalization of the tropical swampland, a Dutch urban planning hallmark that fronted row houses built in a distinct Chinese-Dutch hybrid style.
• Bilingual Legend: The plan features extensive legends in both French and Dutch, identifying key city gates such as Diest Poort and Poort Utrecht, as well as the main square.
• Heraldry: The lower right corner is adorned with a decorative cartouche featuring the Coat of Arms of Batavia, depicting a sword with a laurel wreath.

A Cartographic Milestone
Drawn by the premier French hydrographer Jacques-Nicolas Bellin for Abbé Prévost’s massive multi-volume travel collection, this map remains a definitive record of the era when Batavia was the central pivot for the global spice trade.