Venice. Proposed fortification for St. George de Venise. Mallet c1684.

by Mallet, Alain Manesson

Venice view below fortification diagram by Mallet. 17th century engraving by Mallet for a proposed fortification of Venice.

Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) studied mathematics and geometry at the College of Burgundy, under the military engineer, Philippe Mallet (1606-1679). Allain Manesson then became a musketeer in the regiment of guards of Louis XIV. In 1663 he left for Portugal to enter the service of Alfonso VI. Under Marshal Schomberg Mallet served as an engineer and rose to the rank of sargento-mor (equivalent to commander) of artillery and inspector of fortifications.

In 1671 Mallet's first publication was on military science and the art of siege warfare. It was so successful that it was translated into German the following year. In 1683 Mallet published his updated work Travaux de Mars, ou l’art de war  “on observations I’ve made on the art of war”, and included his engraved diagrams for the fortifications of important cities and towns throughout Europe. He included small scenes “to inspire young nobles to learn to draw, because in fortifications, drawing is not simply a noble propriety, but an absolute necessity”.

This small engraving is half-framed  - mounted between antique white ragmat conservation board and covered with cellophane for protection until framed. Page size is 175 x 125 mm (7 x 5 inches) with the left side of the page extended with contemporary paper.