Exploring Colonial Mexico©
Exploring Colonial Mexico©
Homepage | Archive | Publications | Ordering | the "Y" files War and Peace in Campeche In May 2006 researchers reported details of the discovery of an 18th century ship in the waters near Campeche, the principal Spanish colonial port of the Yucatan peninsula. Initial reports indicate that this have been an English trading vessel. Known by the locals as El Pesquero, the compressed remains of the boat, lying 12 miles off the coast at Champotón at a depth of 25 feet, is believed to have sunk as a result of a storm, a fire, or hostile action.
This finding brought to mind a related colonial illustration of historic interest, recently seen in a private collection and its wartime counterpart.
Campeche at Peace
This hand colored print of the harbor of San Francisco de Campeche (shown above), was engraved by the Dutch artist Petrus Schenk (1661-1711). It was later published by Pieter van der Aa of Leiden, a noted artist, publisher and bookseller, as part of his monumental La Galerie Agreable du Monde, published in sixty-six volumes between 1723 and 1729.
According to the inscription, possibly a later addition, the scene shows merchant ships in front of the fortified city, carrying cargoes of logwood (palo de campeche) and indigo - a trade then dominated in the Gulf by Great Britain. The flags flown may be early versions of the "red duster" flown by the British merchant marine, although this may be artistic license since similar ensigns are being flown by the warships pictured in its sister print below.
Campeche at War
The original engraving by Schenk was reproduced and "embellished" in more than one version by Van der Aa. Following the conventions of the time, he frequently copied or adapted works by other artists, geographers and publishers.
This popular "battle scene" (left) from another edition, shows the city under attack from English or Dutch pirates, using the same background. This may be a predecessor of the more tranquil view shown above.
In both versions the principal fuerte, or defensive bastion of the city fortifications, is prominently pictured, flags flying above its fanciful conical turrets.
