Pont de Larche. Fortification mouth of river. Mallet, c1684.

by Mallet, Alain Manesson

Mallet fortification antique print. Ponte de l'Arche, Eure.

Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) studied mathematics and geometry at the College of Burgundy, under the military engineer, Philippe Mallet (1606-1679). A.M. Mallet 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, and greatly assisted in the fortification of Portugal against Spain during the Portuguese War of Independence.

After his return to France Mallet was appointed mathematics teacher of the pages of the King in Little Stable, Versailles (reserved for the sons of the noble families that dated back to 1550 or earlier). In 1671 the first publication he wrote was on military science and the art of siege warfare. In 1684 Mallet published his updated work Travaux de Mars, ou l’art de la Guerre, “on observations I’ve made on the art of war”, with engraved diagrams for the fortifications of cities and towns throughout Europe, and small scenes “to inspire young nobles to learn to draw, because in fortifications, drawing is not simply a noble propriety, but an absolute necessity”.

Page size is 175 x 125mm (7 x 5 inches). Barely discernable extension of left side of this page. Heavily inked printing of reverse is showing through.