Czechia - Znojmo / Southern Moravia; Matthäus Merian il Vecchio (1593–1650) - Znaym. (Znojmo, Moravia) - 1621-1650

Splendid and authentic panoramic view in a copperplate engraving (etching) of the historic city of Znojmo (written Znaym in the cartouche), located in the southern Moravian region (now the Czech Republic). The plate was masterfully engraved by the famous Swiss-German artist Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593–1650) and published in Frankfurt in 1650 within the renowned work "Topographia Bohemiae, Moraviae et Silesiae". The perspective highlights the spectacular geographic position of the city, stretched along the rocky plateau overlooking the Thaya valley (Thaya flu.), crossed in the foreground by a wooden bridge. The Baroque and medieval skyline is outlined with extreme precision, emphasizing the imposing ramparts, bastions, and tall towers. In the lower margin of the plate is inscribed an explanatory alphabetic legend in German (from A to H) identifying the main monuments and strategic points of interest, including the castle (Das Schloß), St. Nicholas Church (S. Nicolai), the town hall (Das Rahthaus) and the city gates. On the upper left there is an oval heraldic shield enclosed by a decorative wreath, originally left blank by the publisher. This panorama constitutes a precious and sought-after documentary iconography of Moravia in the seventeenth century, highlighted by the crisp, analytical line and the exceptionally high technical quality typical of Merian’s workshop. A piece of great charm and collecting importance.

Dimensions 33 x 37 cm
Will be shipped by courier