Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the piece could look; it is sold unframed unless the description says otherwise.
Lighthouse at Plymouth, Engraving by Pieter van der Aa, Leiden 1707
$180
€160 · £135
Original print, not a reproduction.
Ships worldwide from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked. 14-day returns.
- Date
- 1707
- Sheet size
- 4.8 × 6.2 in (12.2 × 15.7 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Condition report: Good condition. Strong impression on laid paper with visible plate mark, mounted on paper backing. Minor age toning, with small imperfections at the sheet edges consistent with age. Reverse blank.
- Collection
- Harbours & ports
- Era
- 1700 to 1789, Age of discovery
- Stock no.
- f_46299422
Lighthouse at Plymouth, Pieter van der Aa, Leiden 1707
This fine small-format copper engraving by Pieter van der Aa (1659–1733) depicts the famous lighthouse off the coast of Plymouth, England. The tower, standing on a rocky outcrop, is shown with elaborate architectural detailing, including balconies, flag, lantern housing, and mechanical hoists. In the background, numerous sailing ships animate the busy seascape, emphasizing the strategic and maritime importance of Plymouth as one of England’s principal naval harbors. The plate is inscribed “Das LeuchtHaus vor Plymouth” and numbered “N. 9.”
The image represents the Eddystone Lighthouse, the earliest offshore lighthouse in the world, designed by Henry Winstanley and first lit in 1698. Winstanley’s ambitious structure was destroyed in the great storm of 1703, only a few years before Van der Aa published this engraving in Leiden in 1707. The engraving therefore serves as a rare contemporary record of this extraordinary architectural achievement, which combined Renaissance ornament with practical maritime engineering.
Pieter van der Aa was one of the most prolific publishers of the Dutch Golden Age, issuing maps, city views, travel accounts, and illustrated works from his press in Leiden. His engravings are prized today for their decorative appeal and their role in disseminating knowledge of world geography, architecture, and history across Europe.
Condition report: Good condition. Strong impression on laid paper with visible plate mark, mounted on paper backing. Minor age toning, with small imperfections at the sheet edges consistent with age. Reverse blank.
Framing tips: A simple dark or walnut-stained wooden frame with a light cream or off-white mount would highlight the architectural details. Alternatively, a maritime-themed blue mount would emphasize the naval context and make the engraving visually striking on display.
Technique: Copper engraving
Maker: Pieter van der Aa, Leiden, 1707
