About this sheet
Pair of 17th-Century Garden Engravings – Mirabell Pavilion & Cascade, ca. 1670
This matched pair of 17th-century garden engravings presents two refined prospects from the formal pleasure-garden tradition associated with the princely gardens of Mirabell Gardens. Designed by Matthias Diesel and engraved in Augsburg, the sheets exemplify the disciplined symmetry, architectural clarity, and ornamental sophistication of Baroque garden design.
The first engraving, titled Prospect des Vogelhausses des Hochfürstlichen Lustgartens Mirabell, depicts the aviary pavilion of the Prince-Bishop’s pleasure garden at Mirabell. The composition centers on an elegant domed structure framed by intricate trelliswork, urn-topped balustrades, and formal pathways. Figures animate the scene while reinforcing scale and ceremonial order. The print was designed by Matthias Diesel, engraved by Johann August Corvinus, and published by Jeremias Wolff in Augsburg.
The companion print, Prospect einer Cascade so in einer Waldung kan appliciret werden, presents a formal cascade designed to be set within a wooded garden. Executed by Carl Remshard after a design by Diesel, the engraving shows a structured water feature integrated into a landscaped setting, balancing architectural control with natural surroundings. Terraced basins, sculptural elements, and planted avenues reflect contemporary ideals of harmonizing nature through design.
Offered together, these engravings form a visually coherent and historically grounded pair: pavilion and cascade, architecture and water, enclosure and vista. Their matching scale, engraving technique, and compositional rhythm make them especially well suited for display as a diptych, appealing equally to collectors of garden history and interior designers seeking elegant, structured wall works.
Condition: Light age-related toning and occasional spotting, one print into the image, consistent with 17th-century paper. Impressions clear; margins intact. Overall this original antique print is in good condition for its age.
Framing tips: Present as a horizontal pair in matching dark walnut or ebonized frames with warm ivory mats. Spacing of approximately 4–6 cm enhances symmetry and reinforces their function as a matched set.
Technique: Copperplate engraving
Maker: After Matthias Diesel; engraved by Johann August Corvinus and Carl Remshard; published by Jeremias Wolff, Augsburg, ca. 1670
