Striking panoramic view of Prague, published by Matthaus Merian, circa 1650.
Fine view of Prague, showing both sides of the Vlatava River, likely drawn from the view of Wenceslaus Hollar.
Includes the coat of arms of the town of Hradcany, Lesser Town, Old Town, New Town and Vysehrad. In their midst is the Habsburg Kaiser Eagle and coat of arms of the Czech kingdom.
This is one of two views of Prague, published by Merian.
Mathaus Merian (1593-1650) was the father of engraver Matthäus the Younger, and of the painter, engraver, and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian. He was born in Basel, Switzerland and trained in engraving in Zurich. After a time in Nancy, Paris and Strasbourg, he settled in Frankfurt. While there, he worked for Johann Theodor de Bry, the publisher and son of the travel writer. In 1617, he married Maria Magdalena de Bry, Johann Theodor’s daughter. In 1623, Merian took over the de Bry publishing house upon the death of his father-in-law. Merian’s best known works are detailed town views which, due to their accuracy and artistry, form a valuable record of European urban life in the first half of the sixteenth century