St. Peter's Square in Basel: 17th Century Engraving by Matthäus Merian
"Campus Divi Petri qui est Basileae" (St. Peter's Platz in Basel) is a 17th century engraving by the old master engraver Matthäus Merian the Elder. It was published as plate 37 in Merian's "Topographia Helvetiae, Rhaetiae, et Valesiae" (The Topography of Switzerland and Rhaetia, which was a Roman province, now part of modern-day Switzerland and northern Germany) in Frankfort, Germany in 1654. It depicts many people utilizing St. Peter's Square in Basel, Switzerland, with its fountain and abundant trees. People are talking, a man is entertaining a crowd, dogs are playing and a woman is standing at the fountain with a basket or perhaps a container for water on her head.
Creator: Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593 - 1650, German)
Creation Year: 1654
Dimensions: Height: 15.25 in (38.74 cm) Width: 19.94 in (50.65 cm) Depth: 0.63 in (1.61 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
"Campus Divi Petri qui est Basileae" (St. Peter's Platz in Basel) is a 17th century engraving by the old master engraver Matthäus Merian the Elder. It was published as plate 37 in Merian's "Topographia Helvetiae, Rhaetiae, et Valesiae" (The Topography of Switzerland and Rhaetia, which was a Roman province, now part of modern-day Switzerland and northern Germany) in Frankfort, Germany in 1654. It depicts many people utilizing St. Peter's Square in Basel, Switzerland, with its fountain and abundant trees. People are talking, a man is entertaining a crowd, dogs are playing and a woman is standing at the fountain with a basket or perhaps a container for water on her head.
Creator: Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593 - 1650, German)
Creation Year: 1654
Dimensions: Height: 15.25 in (38.74 cm) Width: 19.94 in (50.65 cm) Depth: 0.63 in (1.61 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
"Campus Divi Petri qui est Basileae" (St. Peter's Platz in Basel) is a 17th century engraving by the old master engraver Matthäus Merian the Elder. It was published as plate 37 in Merian's "Topographia Helvetiae, Rhaetiae, et Valesiae" (The Topography of Switzerland and Rhaetia, which was a Roman province, now part of modern-day Switzerland and northern Germany) in Frankfort, Germany in 1654. It depicts many people utilizing St. Peter's Square in Basel, Switzerland, with its fountain and abundant trees. People are talking, a man is entertaining a crowd, dogs are playing and a woman is standing at the fountain with a basket or perhaps a container for water on her head.
Creator: Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593 - 1650, German)
Creation Year: 1654
Dimensions: Height: 15.25 in (38.74 cm) Width: 19.94 in (50.65 cm) Depth: 0.63 in (1.61 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
The technical detail of this engraving is impressive, with its three-dimensional display of a complex scene in the foreground and throughout St. Peter's Square while depicting buildings, streets and people in the background and along the sides of the park.
This engraving is presented in a gold frame with a French mat, highlighted with a gold band. The print has a central fold, as it was issued. There are a few small faint frame abrasions without loss of color and there appears to be a small area of separation at the lower edge of the center fold. The print is otherwise in excellent condition.
Matthäus Merian is one of the most respected Swiss/German artists and engravers of the 17th century. In addition to creating a large number of illustrations and maps, he passed his knowledge and skill to his children, who followed in the family tradition. His son Matthäus Merian, the Younger was an accomplished engraver. His daughter Maria Sybella Merian in addition to becoming a prominent artist, became one of the greatest woman scientists of the 18th century as an entomologist. Her engravings of insects in their natural habitats are as sought after by collectors as are her father's illustrations.
