View of fort Arguin on the African coast

Title on object: Het Casteel Argyn, geleegen benoorde Cabo Verde op 20 Graaden

The view shows the Dutch fort on the sandy island of Arguin, in front of the coast of present-day Mauritania. The island, originally occupied by the Portuguese, was conquered by the WIC in 1633, and was used to buy ostrich feathers, gum Arabic, ivory and enslaved people.

Other copies: Vatican Library Reg. Lat. 2107, fol. 33r (digitally available through their own digital collection); Nationaal Archief VELH0619.20; Carte di Castello 65. The latter shows the fort from the sea side.

Part of the Carte di Castello, collected by Cosimo de Medici III in 1667 and 1669 during his tours through Europe. Cosimo III bought the 66 watercolours by Vingboons in December 1667 in Amsterdam, through mediation of Pieter Blaeu.