Antique Print of the City of Leeuwarden by Merian (1659)

Description: Antique Print titled 'Leuwarden'. A bird's eye view of Leeuwarden, in Friesland. The old city hall tower and city hall are indicated with German caption. This print originates from 'Topographia Germaniae Inferioris'. 

Artists and Engravers: Matthaus Merian the Elder was born September 22nd, 1593 in Basel. He studied drawing and copper engraving from the engraver Friedrich Meyer in Zurich. 1619 he went to Frankfurt where he worked for the publisher Johann Theodor de Bry, whose daughter he married. He took over and completed the editions of "Grand Voyages" and "Petit Voyages" which de Bry started in 1590. Together with Martin Zeiller he produced the popular series of "Topographia" with total 21 volumes. The work was continued by his sons Matthaus the Younger and Caspar. Merian died June 19th, 1650 in Bad Schwalbach.