An Antique Engraved View of Waterfalls in Sweden in the 17th C. by Erik Dahlberg

$325.00

Two antique engraved views on one sheet of "Cataractae Albi Gothicead Trollhaettan" and "Cataractae Albi Gothici ad Pontiff Raunum" (Waterfalls Near Trollhaettan and Raunum), Sweden in 1705 from "Sueciae Antiquae et Hodiernae"' published in Stockholm by Erik Dahlberg (1625-1703). These engravings were created by Johannes van den Aveelen (1650-1727), who was an accomplished 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 two large Swedish waterfalls at Trollhättan and Raunum. The falls at Trollhättan on the Göta river are still to this day described as "the highest and most powerful in any river in Southern Sweden; nowhere does a river cut through the landscape in such a dramatic way as it does here."

Creator: Erik Dahlberg (1625 - 1703)

Creation Year: 1705

Dimensions: Height: 10.257 in (26.06 cm) Width: 19.75 in (50.17 cm)

Medium: Engraving, Laid Paper

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 4139

Two antique engraved views on one sheet of "Cataractae Albi Gothicead Trollhaettan" and "Cataractae Albi Gothici ad Pontiff Raunum" (Waterfalls Near Trollhaettan and Raunum), Sweden in 1705 from "Sueciae Antiquae et Hodiernae"' published in Stockholm by Erik Dahlberg (1625-1703). These engravings were created by Johannes van den Aveelen (1650-1727), who was an accomplished 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 two large Swedish waterfalls at Trollhättan and Raunum. The falls at Trollhättan on the Göta river are still to this day described as "the highest and most powerful in any river in Southern Sweden; nowhere does a river cut through the landscape in such a dramatic way as it does here."

Creator: Erik Dahlberg (1625 - 1703)

Creation Year: 1705

Dimensions: Height: 10.257 in (26.06 cm) Width: 19.75 in (50.17 cm)

Medium: Engraving, Laid Paper

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 4139

The engraving is presented in a cream colored mat that is suitable for framing. The mat measures 17" x 19.75" and the visible portion measures 11.88" x 14.5". 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.

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