Holland at Its Most Beautiful. De achttiende-eeuwse Republiek in kaart en beeld offers in more than a thousand maps, city plans, townscapes, village views, town halls, churches, monasteries and abbeys, castles and buitenplaatsen, gateways and market squares an almost comprehensive picture of the Dutch landscape in the eighteenth century. A "Grand Tour" through the Republic of the United Netherlands, from Amsterdam to Groningen and from Middelburg to Maastricht. The image that emerges is partly familiar and very recognizable, partly unfamiliar and alienating. Much of what is shown in the prints was later demolished, rebuilt or replaced, but at least as much has been preserved to this day. Central to this monumental publication is Isaak Tirion's 23-volume book series Tegenwoordige Staat der Nederlanden, the most comprehensive historical-topographical description of the Republic published between 1738 and 1803. Tirion supplemented the richly illustrated Tegenwoordige Staat with the 9-volume book series Het Verheerlijkt Nederland, which contains hundreds more illustrations. For the first time, the entire pictorial and map material of Tirion's publishing project is brought together in one large survey work. The introductory section describes the life and work of publisher Tirion and details the artists (draftsmen, engravers and cartographers) he involved in his project. They traveled throughout the country to draw as many sights as possible "after life. The sketches made on the spot they later worked out in the studio. Together, the illustrations paint a remarkable picture of the Republic: a fertile, peaceful and exceptionally prosperous country with a rich history.