Baroque Splendor: The Östanå Manor in Gränna, 1692 Swidde Engraving
€ 520
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1692
Sheet size
30.5 × 41 cm (12.0 × 16.1 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13670-11
Condition
Good. Hand-pressed paper, with soiling due to handling only in the outer margins, not in the handcolored image. The paper has a brown hue, adding to its patina. Handcolored coat of arms hightlighted with silver tones.
About this sheet
An original copper engraving from the renowned "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," an atlas of Sweden created under the direction of Erik Dahlberg in the late 17th century. This particular engraving, crafted by Willem Swidde in 1692, depicts the Östanå herrgård (manor house) in Gränna, located in the Jönköping county of Småland.
The engraving showcases the manor in a stately fashion, with a classical architectural design featuring symmetrical wings and a central structure adorned with a grand staircase. The scene is animated with figures in the foreground, indicating the manor's role as a hub of activity and societal life. The garden layout and the surrounding landscape are typical of the formal Baroque style.
Two coats of arms are present in the sky above the manor, likely pertaining to the families associated with the estate or to signify the regional and noble significance of the location.
The "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna" was a grand project aiming to document and glorify the cultural heritage and landscapes of Sweden, and this print is a testament to the opulence and grandeur of the Swedish nobility's residences during that era. Collectors and enthusiasts of historical prints and Swedish history particularly treasure these engravings for their artistic and documentary value.
