Thirty Years War (1618-48)
Maps, prints and letterpress text covering the major battles and sieges of the war
The battle of Saalfeld, 1640 (Saalfeld, Thuringia, Germany) 50°38ʹ54ʺN 11°21ʹ55ʺE
1640 or laterEtching and engraving; printed on paper; mounted on paper (Mount Type B); gilt edge, right | 25.0 x 34.2 cm (image and sheet) | RCIN 722156
A high oblique view/map of the encampments of the Swedish allied army, commanded by Field Marshal Johan Banér (23 June 1596-10 May 1641) and Imperial forces, under Archduke Leopold Wilhelm (5 January 1614-20 November 1662) at Saalfeld, May-June 1640 and General Ottavio Piccolomini (11 November 1599-11 August 1656). Thirty Years War (1618-1648). Oriented with west to top (cardinal points).
See RCIN 722155.
This print has been attributed to Merian, but it is clearly a different engraving to a very similar print, almost identical in design, which appeared following p.390 in vol.IV of Merian’s Theatrum Europaeum which was published in Frankfurt am Main in 1643. Apart from the differences in lettering, etc., the key on the Theatrum example, left of centre, is differently laid out and the continuation of the key, bottom left, is longer, differently worded, and runs from F-I, K. It is possible that the Royal Collection example is an earlier version of Merian’s Theatrum print.
Attributed to Matthäus Merian I (1593-1650) (engraver)
Subject(s)
Army-Holy Roman EmpireArmy-FranceArmy-SwedenWatermark: View: none visible. Mount: none.
Condition: two fold lines; brown discolouration; some foxing. Pressure marks to recto and verso
25.0 x 34.2 cm (image and sheet)
cropped (platemark)
48.2 x 40.3 cm (mount)
Printed title:
Abbildung der zweiē Mächtigen Veld / lager der Kö: Kaÿ: Maÿ: an einem und / der Confoederirten Cronen und Standen / Armeē anders theils. sampt der gelegen. / heit selbiger gegend beÿ Salfeldt und / wie nahe eine der andern beÿ gelegen. / im Mayo Anno 1640. [top right, in cartouche]
Additional text:
[left of centre, a key, A-E.] [Bottom left, a key, G, F, H-I.]
Annotations:
George III heading: The Swedes and French, under Banier and Longueville, attack the Imperialists, under Piccolomini, at Saalfeldt in May 1640, and are repulsed.
Other annotations: (Recto) [top left, black pencil, erased:] Saalfeldt. (Verso) none.
George III catalogue entry:
Saalfeld Abbildung der zweien machtigen Veldlager der Ro. Kay. May. an einem und der Confœderirten Cronen und Standen Armee anders theils sampt der gelegenheit selbiger gegend bey Salfeldt und wie nahe eine der andern beygelegen im Mayo 1640.
Subject(s)
Saalfeld, Thuringia, Germany (50°38ʹ54ʺN 11°21ʹ55ʺE)
Bibliographic reference(s)
M. McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo. Part II, Architecture, Topography and Military Maps, 3 vols, London 2019, cat. no. 156
Page revisions
25 May 2024
Current version
