Count Dahlberg was an army Field Marshall, architect, and military engineer from Stockholm, Sweden. Dahlberg was greatly inspired by Matthaeus Merian’s Theatrum Europaeum, as well as his other topographies, and desired to create a similar work of his own. In 1661 Charles XI of Sweden granted Dahlberg a royal privilege to create a topographical work on Sweden. Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna took more than a decade to complete, and showed Sweden's finest cities, buildings, monuments, and gardens from the seventeenth century. Several famous French engravers were engaged to execute the engravings based on original drawings by Dahlberg, including Adam Perelle, Jean Marot, Jean Le Pautre and Nicolas Perelle. Unfortunately many delays ensued, and Dutch engravers were then hired to complete the work, among them Willem Swidde and Johan van den Aveelen. Only about 1000 copies of each engraving were printed, which were not intended for sale but for as presentation pieces. This handsome architectural view depicts a partial section of a Council House in Stockholm, with numerous workers, merchants, coaches, and passers-by filling the foreground. Engraved by Willem Swidde de Jonge.

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Condition: A

A fine impression with a damp stain in right blank margin, not affecting image.