An Antique Engraved View of "Waterfalls in Smoland", Sweden by Erik Dahlberg
This is an antique engraved view entitled "Delineatio Cataractae" (Waterfalls in Smoland), Sweden in 1705 from "Sueciae Antiquae et Hodiernae"' published in Stockholm by Erik Dahlberg (1625-1703). The engraving was created by Johannes V. D. Aveelen (1650-1727), who was an accomplished Dutch copperplate engraver who emigrated to Sweden to work on Dahlberg's spectacular book, "Sueciae Antiquae et Hodiernae", which was focused on the views and architecture of Sweden, both in the ancient past and at the time of the publication. This engraving depicts a fast moving river flowing between forested hills. A road leads to a village that lies adjacent to the river on the right. A bridge over the river leads to scattered houses on the left side. A horse-drawn cart on the road carries what appears to be hay. Multiple pedestrians and riders on their horses are seen on the road and the bridge.
Creator: Erik Dahlberg (1625 - 1703)
Creation Year: 1705
Dimensions: Height: 15.75 in (40.01 cm) Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Medium: Engraving, Laid Paper
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 4138
This is an antique engraved view entitled "Delineatio Cataractae" (Waterfalls in Smoland), Sweden in 1705 from "Sueciae Antiquae et Hodiernae"' published in Stockholm by Erik Dahlberg (1625-1703). The engraving was created by Johannes V. D. Aveelen (1650-1727), who was an accomplished Dutch copperplate engraver who emigrated to Sweden to work on Dahlberg's spectacular book, "Sueciae Antiquae et Hodiernae", which was focused on the views and architecture of Sweden, both in the ancient past and at the time of the publication. This engraving depicts a fast moving river flowing between forested hills. A road leads to a village that lies adjacent to the river on the right. A bridge over the river leads to scattered houses on the left side. A horse-drawn cart on the road carries what appears to be hay. Multiple pedestrians and riders on their horses are seen on the road and the bridge.
Creator: Erik Dahlberg (1625 - 1703)
Creation Year: 1705
Dimensions: Height: 15.75 in (40.01 cm) Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Medium: Engraving, Laid Paper
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 4138
This is an antique engraved view entitled "Delineatio Cataractae" (Waterfalls in Smoland), Sweden in 1705 from "Sueciae Antiquae et Hodiernae"' published in Stockholm by Erik Dahlberg (1625-1703). The engraving was created by Johannes V. D. Aveelen (1650-1727), who was an accomplished Dutch copperplate engraver who emigrated to Sweden to work on Dahlberg's spectacular book, "Sueciae Antiquae et Hodiernae", which was focused on the views and architecture of Sweden, both in the ancient past and at the time of the publication. This engraving depicts a fast moving river flowing between forested hills. A road leads to a village that lies adjacent to the river on the right. A bridge over the river leads to scattered houses on the left side. A horse-drawn cart on the road carries what appears to be hay. Multiple pedestrians and riders on their horses are seen on the road and the bridge.
Creator: Erik Dahlberg (1625 - 1703)
Creation Year: 1705
Dimensions: Height: 15.75 in (40.01 cm) Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Medium: Engraving, Laid Paper
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 4138
The engraving is presented in a cream colored mat that is suitable for framing. The mat measures 15.75" x 20" and the visible portion measures 9.63" x 14.13". There are two vertical folds as issued. The print is in excellent condition.
"Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna" (Ancient and Modern Sweden) is a collection of engravings created and comissioned by Erik Dahlberg during the middle of the 17th century. Dahlberg was an artist and architect, with the official role of Surveyor-General of the Ordinance, Quarter-Master General and Field Marshal of Sweden in the 17th century. "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna" was his grand vision of Sweden during its period as a great world power. Dahlberg's direct source of inspiration was the topographical views issued by the Swiss artist and publisher Matthäus Merian. In 1661 Dahlberg was granted a royal privilege enabling him to pursue his plan. He created a large number of sketches and drawings depicting settlements, manors, and fortifications, with the expressed purpose of enhancing the glory of Sweden, much as Giovanni Piranesi would later do for Rome several decades later. The drawings were later engraved by a number of leading contemporary European engravers. Unfortunately the work was not published until 1705, two years after his death. In its final state "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna" comprised three volumes containing 353 plates, many with two engravings per sheet. It is considered to be the greatest and finest engraved work ever produced in Scandinavia.
