- Foliation jumps from leaf 12 to 59; one quire loose(ning). Sm. spot on frontcover.
= An extremely rare and important manuscript by Aernout van Buchell (Utrecht, 1565-1641). Encouraged by the demolition and destruction of buildings and works of art after the Reformation, he began to record endangered inscriptions, gravestones, coats of arms and other remarkable objects in text and drawings. He compiled a number of manuscripts that are invaluable for research into missing buildings and inventories. Van Buchel hardly published anything during his lifetime. The University of Utrecht houses the archive of Aernout van Buchell and describes his works as a very rich source about the man, his city, his network and his time.
This historically significant document describes the history of several noble estates and its owners in the vicinity of Utrecht, i.a. "Ameyde", "Lievendael", "Hagestein", "Nievelt", "Hoeflaken", "Blyenborch", "Zeyst" and "Woerden". The three remarkable drawings show castles and are one of the earliest, if not the earliest depictions of these castles. Huis te Oud-Wulven was established in the 12th century. Not much is known about castle Oud-Wulven. The second castle (Slot Zuylen) was built in the 13th century. It was pulled down and rebuilt by Johan van Toll, a wealthy merchant from Utrecht who purchased the estate in 1634. The renovation was completed in 1640. The drawing by Buchelius predates this renovation. Huis Zuylenstein was probably first built in the 14th century. After multiple owners, prince Frederik Hendrik van Oranje purchased the estate in 1630 and started renovations. The drawing by Buchelius also predate these renovations.
Provenance: the collection of M.P. Smissaert, sold at auction at Frederik Muller, 1906 (lot 293). SEE ILLUSTRATION PLATE LXII.