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Londres, Capitale de l'Angleterre by Pieter van der AA is a captivating representation of London, published in 1720. From an imagined vantage point atop a nonexistent hill in Southwark, the viewer gazes northwards, observing the city with the casual passersby and dogs populating the foreground.
The artist owes a large degree of inspiration to Hollar's "Long View," particularly regarding the architectural rendering of the buildings along the south bank of the River Thames.
Of particular interest in this pre-Great Fire of London view are the houses located on London Bridge, and the old St. Paul's Cathedral, which had already lost its steeple due to a lightning strike. The representation of these historical landmarks provides an invaluable glimpse into the architectural landscape of pre-fire London.
Adding to the charm of the piece is the decorative frame border, which is enhanced by swagged ribbons.
On the left, we see "White Hall," and on the right, a notable misspelling designates "The Thower" - referring to the iconic Tower of London. The prominence of London Bridge in the illustration underscores its significance in the city's infrastructure and daily life. This art piece serves as an essential cultural artifact, capturing the aesthetic and historical essence of London.
The view was published in van der Aa's La Galerie Agréable du Monde.
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was a Dutch mapmaker and publisher who printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated books, but is best known for his voluminous output of maps and atlases. Van der Aa was born to a German stonecutter from Holstein. Interestingly, all three van der Aa sons came to be involved in the printing business. Hildebrand was a copper engraver and Boudewyn was a printer.
![The Heart of London [in:] Map to the Heart of London with the Compliments of MEA](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/97705.jpg)
![[Suburbs of London] Sheet 1: Bayswater, Notting Hill, Kensal Green, Shepherds Bush &c. [with] Sheet 2: Greenwich &c. [and] Sheet 3: Bromley, Blackwall &c.](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/80967.jpg)