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Aberdeen from the Block House
Aberdeen from the Block House

Aberdeen from the Block House

Artist (Netherlands, c.1645 - 1714)
Mediumline engraving
ClassificationsPrints
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG006991
About MeIn 1693 the first ever pictorial survey of Scotland was published by military engineer John Slezer. 'Theatrum Scotiae' is an important record of Scottish towns, castles and palaces in the 17th century. For most of these places, it contains some of the earliest views that survive.

Together with historical maps and geographical descriptions, the book provides key evidence of the built landscape of the period. Details in the images, the choice of locations, and themes in the texts also give us a valuable insight into Scottish nobility and genteel society at that time.

In all there were seven editions of 'Theatrum' Scotiae. The original edition of 1693 had 57 numbered plates. In the following six editions, some of the original plates were not used, while new plates were added to form different numbered sequences.