Entrance to the Mole and Island of Tortosa, Antique Engraving, 1797

An original antique copper engraving, uncolored, published in 1797. The caption engraved below the image reads "Entrance to the Mole & Island of Tortosa".

The view looks along the water at the entrance to an ancient harbor built of huge stone blocks. At the left, a towering wall of massive masonry rises from the sea, with tumbled blocks at its foot and a man climbing among them. In the center, a fortified town with towers stands on a rising headland behind a long wall of squared stone. At the right a great stack of blocks forms the end of the mole, with several figures standing on its top and the masts and long yards of vessels showing behind it. Further block piles stand in the water beyond. Two rowing boats crowded with men are on the water, one at the lower left and one right of center, below a pale disk low in the sky whose light falls across the sea.

The lower left is lettered "Mÿers delint." and the lower right "Byrne sculpt.", naming the engraver William Byrne. The plate number "PL. III." is engraved at the upper right.

This plate was issued in Antiquities of Ionia, Part the Second, published by the Society of Dilettanti in London in 1797. It is one of a separate series of four plates numbered I to IV, two of them views at Tortosa, which follow the main sequence of plates in the copy of this part held by Heidelberg University Library. Tortosa is the crusader name of Tartus on the Syrian coast, and the island offshore is Arwad, the ancient Arados.

Light uneven toning, browner towards the edges. Marked handling soiling along all four edges. Foxing over much of the margin. Slight wear at the bottom left, bottom right and top left corners.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.