Portier Views of St. Denis and St. Paul, 1790, Engraving on Paper

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This antique French engraving by Portier, produced around 1790, presents two coastal views of settlements on Île de Bourbon, the … Read more This antique French engraving by Portier, produced around 1790, presents two coastal views of settlements on Île de Bourbon, the 18th-century name for present-day Réunion in the Indian Ocean. The upper panel depicts the “Vue du Bourg de St. Denis,” while the lower shows the “Vue du Bourg de St. Paul,” each captured from an offshore perspective. In the view of St. Denis, the settlement is nestled along a rugged coastline backed by steep, jagged mountains. A few ships sail offshore, indicating the island’s role as a stopover for maritime trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The St. Paul view features a broader sweep of the coastline, with more visible buildings lining the shore and a ship anchored in the calm waters beyond. Île de Bourbon was a strategic French colony in the 18th century, prized for its sugar and coffee production as well as its position along East Indies trade routes. Portier’s engravings combine artistic charm with topographical accuracy, offering valuable insight into the early colonial landscape of Réunion. The fine hachuring and horizontal line shading effectively convey the island’s dramatic volcanic terrain and the surrounding sea. Such coastal profile engravings were often included in illustrated travel accounts, missionary reports, and geographical works of the period, serving as visual references for navigators and scholars alike.

Condition report: Very good condition with a strong plate mark and crisp impression. Light toning along the fold and faint marginal foxing. Paper is stable and well-preserved.
Technique: Engraving Maker: Portier, France, c.1790 See less