Original antique engraving by Jean Nieuhof depicting a view of the Chinese city of Kinnungam with its ramparts.
Published c.1665 by Pietter van de Aa in “L'Ambassade de la Compagnie Orientale”.
Kinnungam is now the city of Ji'an, located in the central part of Jiangxi Province, along the Gan River.
Published between 1665–1693, these engravings were made to illustrate “L'Ambassade de la Compagnie Orientale”, published by Pieter van de Aa and were designed to bring knowledge of the Qing Dynasty and China to Europe.
They were created by Johan Nieuhof (often spelled Nieuhof or Nieuhoff) to document his journey through the country at a time of increased European interest in Asia, particularly China, driven by trade and exploration. The Dutch East India Company played a significant role in these endeavors, and maps like this were crucial for navigation and understanding foreign territories
Johan Nieuhof (1618 - 1672) was a traveller and explorer with the Dutch East India Company. Born Lower Saxony he spent most of his life in Brazil, China and India. His written account of hi s journey from Canton to Peking in 1655-1657 called “An embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham, Emperor of China” made yhim famous and improved European knowledge about China, developed the fashion in Europe for Chinoiserie and made him an important author and scholar on China.
On a different journey, this time to Ceylon, he was arrested for illegally trading in pearls which led to his dismissal from the Dutch East India Company. Some time after his release he disappeared somewhere in Madagascar and was never seen again.
