This view of Chaalons is from the ‘Topographia Gallia’ by Martin Zeiler published 1655-61. It formed just one volume of the ‘Topographiae’ series which began in 1642 with a volume on Switzerland and extended to much of Europe. The final work covers Italy in 1688. All of the plates were the work of Matthaus Merian (1593-1650). Born in Basle, Switzerland, he was one of the finest engravers of the seventeenth century. He was renowned for his town plans and views. He married the daughter of Theodore de Bry. Chaalons en Champaigne is the capital of Marne in eastern France and was only officially renamed thus in 1998. Previously it was known as Chalons-sur-Marne. The River Marne flows through the foreground. Shirley (2004) G.Meri 22a.