1697 – E. Dahlberg – Cracovia
750 €
Title: “CRACOVIA Sedes Regia obsessa et à Serenissimo Sveo: Gothorum Rege CAROLO GVSTAVO diditione [sic] capta d: 8 Octob: Anno 1655”
Description:
Very large, detailed panoramic engraving of the Swedish siege of Kraków in 1655, during the Second Northern War (“the Deluge” in Polish history). The old royal capital stretches across the middle distance below the Royal Castle on Wawel (“Arx Regia”), with the Vistula and the suburbs of Kazimierz, Stradom and Kleparz labeled. Mortar bombs arc over the walls and gunsmoke rises along the front. The Swedish army of King Charles X Gustav fills the foreground in ordered rows of tents, with the royal tent enclosure at the center. Gunners, cavalry, foragers and supply wagons crowd the lower edge. Two draped banners at the top list the Swedish cavalry (“Equitatus”) and infantry (“Peditatus”) regiments by letter. A 28-part key at the foot identifies the city’s churches, monasteries, the Jesuit college and St. Florian’s Gate. The title cartouche is crowned with the Swedish arms among flags, weapons and armor.
Despite the “ad viv.” (from life) signature, Dahlbergh did not join the army until 1656. Polish researchers have noted that the skyline of Kraków is a mirror image, probably copied from Braun & Hogenberg’s earlier view, while the encampment draws on Dahlbergh’s own troop dispositions.
The drawing was made by Erik J. Dahlbergh, painter and architect in the service of Charles X Gustav, and engraved by Willem Swidde (signed “W. Swidde Sculp.”). The plate is numbered N 16. It comes from Samuel von Pufendorf’s history of the reign of Charles X Gustav, published by Christoph Riegel in Nuremberg in 1697.
Painter: Erik Jönsson Dahlbergh (1625–1703)
Sheet size: 65,7 x 34,7 cm
Year: 1697
Technique: copper engraving
Condition:
Very good, original condition. Two sheets joined, as issued. Watermarked paper. Wide, clean margins with the plate mark visible.
This is an original antique map published in 1697 and NOT a modern copy or reprint
On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity
In stock
