Fine original antique print of a view within Beijing, showing a canal on the edge of the city's walls. Crop fields, a variety of trees, and Niehoff's rendition of the local dwellings are shown, making this an interesting example of a European's view on China in the 18th century. This view was printed in The Hague by Jakob van der Schley as part of Prevost's Histoire General des Voyages.
Jakob van der Schley printed a number of plates for the Histoire General des Voyages following Nieuoff, including this one. Johan Nieuhoff had previously explored a large part of China, India, and Brazil when part of the VOC, and his work was an important first-hand account of the Far East.
Jakob van der Schley was a skilled draftsman and engraver who operated out of Amsterdam and had strong ties with the Hague. He was trained by Bernard Picart and his style resembles that of the elder man. Van der Schely was known for intricately engraved portraits and frontispieces. He signed most of the plates used in the Hague edition of the Abbe Prevost's Histoire generale des voyages.