Rare eighteenth century manuscript panorama of Madras. one of the first detailed views of this city today populated with more than 7 million people.

Large and rare representation of Madras and the Fort St George from the first half of the 18th century. The view is taken from the Gason plain along the banks of the river at a time when the new fortifications on the inner island were being built and the Governor's stables were still based there. The view of the city is divided into three parts: the 'White Town' with the Fort St George, the governor's house, the English temple, the Church of Capuchins, the barracks, the powder shop, the English flag, the brickyard, the stables and the location of the new fortifications, in front of which sits the sea and ships. Next to this, behind the bend in the river sits the 'Black town' where lies the Armenian Church and the 'tombs of the Moors' amongst palm trees and more basic housing.

Ink drawing; panorama in three glued sheets (149 x 24 cm); neat repairs to small tears; signed B. Lt Charlo in the bottom right hand corner. Some captions in French.