Europe · 17th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
fair, given age. General age-related toning, probably has been framed before. Minor defects from handling and print is still sharp. Please study scans carefully.
This antique copper engraving, created by the renowned Swiss-German engraver Matthäus Merian around 1645, depicts the Battle of Wimpfen, which took place on May 6, 1622, during the Thirty Years' War. The Imperial Army, commanded by Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly, is shown attacking the forces of the Protestant Palatinate. Despite a courageous cavalry charge by the Palatinate forces, the battle ultimately resulted in a decisive victory for Tilly's Imperial troops.
The engraving offers a bird's-eye view of the battlefield near Wimpfen, a town situated on the Neckar River in present-day Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Detailed representations of the surrounding terrain, rivers, and forests are combined with the intricate depiction of military formations, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery engaged in combat. Each unit and significant point of interest is labeled with letters, corresponding to a key at the bottom of the image.
This highly detailed and dramatic engraving showcases the complexity of 17th-century warfare, with smoke rising from cannons and musket fire, and vividly illustrates the battle's intensity. Above the scene, the title provides a description of the military events, while below, a decorative band contains the legend identifying the various elements of the composition.
The engraving has a smooth, reinforced publisher's fold, and the sheet shows light browning and slight irregularities along the edges. Despite these minor imperfections, it is in good overall condition and remains an impressive historical artifact, offering a window into one of the major conflicts of the Thirty Years' War.
Artist: Matthäus Merian (1593 Basel – 1650 Langenschwalbach), a master copper engraver and publisher, is celebrated for his detailed and accurate topographical views and historical engravings, many of which document key events of the Thirty Years' War.
