The "Tunis" engraving by the Dutch-German cartographer and printmaker Pieter Schenk the Elder was published in 1702.
The engraving depicts a panoramic maritime and cityscape view of Tunis,Tunisia, and was issued as plate 90 in Schenk's famous atlas, "Hecatompolis" (Hecatompolis sive Totius orbis Terrarum Oppida Nobiliora Centum). This monumental work contained exactly 100 views of the world's most important and noble cities and ports.
Its composition is heavily influenced by the French topographical school of the era, drawing inspiration from previous cartographers like Carel Allard and Braun & Hogenberg. It captures the harbour, sailing vessels, and the walled skyline of the city.
Tunis was well known for its base for the Barbary pirates as its geography gave them excellent protection.
Peter Schenk the Elder was born in Germany but established a highly successful print and map publishing business in Amsterdam alongside his partner, Gerard Valk. He was widely celebrated for his meticulous precision and elegant geographical art, even serving as an engraver to the court of Augustus the Strong.
