Three sheets from the Album de Croÿ of Charles, 4th Duc d'Arschot

Album made for Charles de Croÿ (1560-1612) from 1596 to 1598.  After Charles' death the volume passed to his nephew and heir, Alexandre d'Arenberg.  It then passed down through the Arenberg family until the 19th century, when it reached Ludmilla d'Arenberg, who in 1888 had married Prince Charles-Alfred de Croÿ-Dülmen.  From then it passed to their son, Engelbert de Croÿ at Authal, Austria, thereafter by descent, until sale, Sotheby's, London, 19 June 2001, lot 47 (recto listed as sheet 60, verso as sheet 59).

Attached to mount around edges, to show verso (framed so both sides visible). Some discoloration and abrasion in borders. Within main image, one or two very minor stains in sky, center right, and one or two slight abrasions, top left. Some losses in certain sections of main image, verso. Otherwise very good and fresh condition. Sold in modern frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This sheet and the following two lots are taken from the Album de Croÿ, made for Charles de Croÿ (1560-1612) from 1596 to 1598.  Charles held numerous titles and lands - including the Duchy of Aarschot, the Principality of Porcien, the Earldoms of Beaumont and Seninghen and the Lordship of Avesnes, Lillers, Quiévrain, Esclaibes and Beveren - the administration of which clearly required a highly organised bureaucracy.  In order to understand his properties, in 1590 the Duc ordered illustrated land surveys (cadastres), with coloured plans and perspective views in which the various individual properties were numbered, to correspond with lists of rents drawn up by Charles' treasurer and secretary.  Between 1596 and 1598, these documents were synthesised into two spectacular albums of painting on vellum, containing the images from the cadastres, but without the accompanying text. 

Although 23 volumes were painted in all, comprising a total of 2,500 views, the present sheets were taken from one of the first two albums produced, covering the lands in Brabant, Flanders, Artois and Picardy.  Originally, this album contained 86 leaves, with 118 full-page miniatures with decorative borders.  Still complete when sold at Sotheby's on 19 June 2001, the album was subsequently split up.  The individual sheets continue, however, to be of extraordinary importance for the architectural history, the topography, and the social history of northern France and Belgium during the final years of the struggle against Philip II of Spain.  For further information on the album and its history, see the catalogue of the aforementioned sale.

The verso of this sheet, divided into 8 compartments, depicts: (i) 'Le villaige et seigneurie de Halewin', (ii) two fiefs at Halewin, (iii) 'Terres, pretz et pastures appertenant a son Exc. gisant en la paroche de halewin es pretz qu'on dit de Menin', (iv) lands east of Halluin, (v) 'Signorie de la prevostee a sainct Andrieu hors la porte de sainct Pierre a Lille', (vi) 'Le censse de Beecke gisant au village de halewin', (vii) coat of arms, (viii) cartouche without inscription.