Original Antique Engraving of Buildings in Madrid in Spain, ca. 1700
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1700
Technique
Engraved
Sheet size
20 × 32.4 cm (7.9 × 12.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-10381
Condition
Condition report: Strong impression with clear detail. Light toning and faint handling marks in the margins, not affecting the image. Plate mark visible, wide margins intact. Very good condition overall.
About this sheet
Antique engraving of Madrid views by Gabriel Bodenehr, ca. 1700
This original early 18th-century engraving presents four finely detailed views of prominent buildings and squares in Madrid, Spain. The engraver, Gabriel Bodenehr (1664–1758), was a noted German cartographer and engraver whose 'Europens Macht und Pracht' series captured the architectural power and grandeur of European cities at the height of the Baroque period.
The sheet is composed in a decorative manner with allegorical figures, cartouches, and scrollwork framing the views. At upper left appears the “Königlicher Lusthaus” near Madrid, with gardens and riding figures. At lower left is the façade of the “Königlichen Pallastes zu Madrid,” the royal palace. The lower right shows the bustling “Placa Mayor oder der Grosse Platz,” a lively square with horses and carriages. At upper right is the “Einlösserey von St. Anttonii in Buonretiro,” the entrance to the Buen Retiro palace and gardens. Together, these views provide a vivid record of Madrid’s ceremonial and architectural life around 1700.
Bodenehr’s 'Europens Macht und Pracht' was one of the most ambitious series of its time, depicting cityscapes, fortresses, and palaces across Europe. The Madrid views are particularly significant as they document Spain’s capital during the reign of the Habsburgs and Bourbons, when the Plaza Mayor and Buen Retiro were centers of political and cultural activity.
This engraving is a fine example of the combination of urban documentation and decorative flourish that characterizes Bodenehr’s work. It appeals to collectors of Spanish history, Baroque architecture, and early European city views.
Condition report: Strong impression with clear detail. Light toning and faint handling marks in the margins, not affecting the image. Plate mark visible, wide margins intact. Very good condition overall.
Framing tips: A wide ivory mat will emphasize the engraving’s decorative framing and allegorical figures. A gilt frame highlights its Baroque character, while a dark wood frame lends it a scholarly, historic presentation.
Technique: Engraving Maker: Gabriel Bodenehr, Augsburg, ca. 1700
