The Northeastern coast in Dutch Brazil - Session II

Sinus Omnium Sanctoru, Frans Post, 1647

The image highlights the São Bartolomeu da Passagem Fort on the island of Itaparica and in the background was the former location of the city of Salvador.

Salvador was invaded in 1624 by a fleet of the Dutch West India Company and occupied until 1625, when it was recovered by the Portuguese and Spanish.

"Whoever enters this bay should do so so that the castle of Santo Antonio is at N/W and S/E, coming from the sea, pass through it as close as possible to come with a fair wind and thus more easily reach the port. [...]."

Castrum Mauritij ad Ripam Fluminis S. Francisci, Frans Post, 1647

In this painting, Frans Post depicts the bar of the São Francisco River, situated between the states of Sergipe and Alagoas. In the scene, he emphasized the escape of Portuguese soldiers after the Dutch conquest of that place.

The village of Penedo, which was a strategic point at the river bar, was conquered by the Dutch in 1637, kept under their domain until 1645, when it was temporarily lost and retaken in 1646. It was reconquered by the Portuguese the following year. 

"Rio S. Francisco situated at 10º 20' is relatively populated and enters the interior very far. There is no lack of supplies. A sandy reef extends a few miles along the beach, so that between these shallows and the mainland one can navigate with small boats."

Capvt. S. Augustini, Frans Post, 1647

The print depicts the cape as seen from the South, with fishermen, ships, and some constructions on the hills in the North.

Cabo de Santo Agostinho was occupied by the Dutch between 1635 and 1645, when it was recovered by the Portuguese, who regained control of Fort Nazareth, the main local fortification.

"Coming from the sea, this cape looks rather like a regular coast, but when you get to the land, two or three rocks appear not far from it and very small. On the north side there is a lot of rock, but the cape is nothing but a low pontoon advancing over the water."

Mauritiopolis, Frans Post, 1647

Frans Post depicted Recife (literally means Reef in Portuguese) at that time called Mauritiopolis in honor of count Maurício de Nassau. In the background are several houses and some churches. 

After the conquest of Olinda, its port, called Povo or Recife, was soon conquered by the Dutch still in 1630, and in the future became part of the capital of New Holland, called Cidade Mauritiopolis. Recife was only abandoned in 1654 by the Dutch troops.  

"Pernambuco [Recife] is 8 degrees south of the Equinoxial. It has at the entrance two forts. The one on the left, smaller, situated at the tip of a stone reef that measures about a mile long by 10 paces wide. [...]."