Sign In

This remarkable allegorical engraving, produced by Georg Matthäus Seutter, one of the preeminent map publishers of 18th-century Germany, is the second plate from a series of four allegorical depictions originally issued in his Atlas Novus in 1728.

The engraving, Statua Regum Europaeorum P.C.N. Nomina Continens, presents a colossal warrior king, symbolizing the rulers of Europe, adorned with elaborate regal and martial insignia. His breastplate, robe, and legs are meticulously inscribed with the names of monarchs from various European nations, spanning from the first century through the seventeenth. The piece is visually anchored by his commanding figure, flanked on the left by twelve armorial coats of arms, with the Habsburg imperial coat of arms prominently positioned at the top. To the right, regal symbols such as crowns, scepters, and musical instruments suggest both the ceremonial and cultural grandeur of these rulers.

The engraving not only serves as a genealogical and chronological record of European kings but also embeds a detailed astrological framework, with zodiac symbols and celestial indicators accompanying the names. This integration of astrological elements reflects the period's common belief in the influence of the stars on sovereign rule. The accompanying "Clavis ad Characteres" in the upper-right corner provides a key to these symbols, offering insight into the virtues, temperaments, and fates of the monarchs based on planetary alignments.

Seutter's Statua Regum Europaeorum was produced during a period of intense cartographic and genealogical interest, coinciding with the zenith of Habsburg influence in Europe. The detailed listing of rulers, from the legendary to the historical, underscores the importance of dynastic continuity and the role of astrology in shaping royal authority. Seutter, trained in the workshop of Johann Baptist Homann in Nuremberg, brought a masterful eye to the integration of cartographic precision and allegorical richness. His status as Imperial Geographer granted by Emperor Charles VI in 1732 affirms his prominence within the cartographic traditions of the Holy Roman Empire.  

This specific example includes updates added up to 1761, reflecting the continued relevance of the map long after its initial publication. These updates likely incorporate significant political shifts, particularly within the Russian Empire, as evidenced by the reference to rulers such as Peter III, Elisabeta and Paul Petrovich.