Swidde, The Rosersberg Palace Gardens, Engraving, 1695

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The image is an original antique copperplate engraving by swidde, completed in 1695. The scene is a meticulous depiction of … Read more The image is an original antique copperplate engraving by swidde, completed in 1695. The scene is a meticulous depiction of an elegant palace and its formal gardens, rendered in the baroque style. The composition is symmetrical, with a central axis leading to the main building, and the gardens are laid out with geometric precision. This reflects the baroque era's emphasis on order, symmetry, and grandeur. The text above the image, partially legible as "delineatio splendidissimi palatii rosers berg," suggests that this is rosersberg palace in sweden. The latin phrase can be translated to "representation of the most splendid palace of rosersberg," which underscores the importance and magnificence of the estate. Rosersberg palace is one of the royal palaces of sweden and has been preserved as a historical site, showcasing the architecture and interior design of the late 18th century, although this print predates those modifications. The presence of the coat of arms and the latin text above the palace indicates the noble status of the estate and its owners at the time. Engravings such as this were often commissioned to highlight the stature and significance of such residences and were collected by the elite and nobility as well as used for promoting the grand estates of the realm. Rosersberg palace, situated north of stockholm, has rooms that remain almost untouched from the 1795-1860 period, featuring well-preserved interiors and collections. It is noted for being one of the best-preserved palaces from the period, with much of the original interior remaining. King karl xiv johan and queen desideria were the last royals to reside there. Today, rosersberg palace is open to the public for tours, allowing visitors to explore its historical rooms and learn about its royal history. The palace and its grounds are maintained as a cultural heritage site and are used for various events and functions. Additionally, the palace complex includes a hotel, rosersbergs slottshotell, which offers accommodation and dining in a historic setting. The palace park, although some parts have overgrown or disappeared, still allows visitors to wander through its centuries-old avenues. More about the artist: willem swidde was a dutch draughtsman and engraver who made a significant contribution to swedish topographical and historical illustration in the late 17th century. Born around 1660 in amsterdam, swidde's journey as an artist eventually led him to sweden. In 1688, he was brought to stockholm by count erik dahlbergh, a swedish engineer, soldier, and field marshal, who recognized swidde's talent and needed his skills for the illustration of various works. Swidde's initial task in sweden was to produce illustrations for samuel pufendorf's history of charles x gustav of sweden. He successfully created 18 plates out of the 123 for this work. However, swidde's most notable and enduring work was for the ambitious "suecia antiqua et hodierna" (ancient and modern sweden), a project that aimed to document and celebrate sweden's grandeur through elaborate topographical engravings. In this venture, swidde was instrumental, contributing 76 of the book's plates. His engravings were based on drawings by dahlbergh, with whom he collaborated closely, often enhancing the original designs to better capture the magnificence of the swedish landscapes and architecture. Swidde's work is characterized by its meticulous detail and the way it captures the baroque splendor of the swedish empire. Despite the grand scale of his work, swidde's life remains sparsely documented, and he passed away in stockholm in 1697, leaving behind a legacy through the plates that continue to be appreciated for their historical and artistic value. His contributions to "suecia antiqua et hodierna" helped immortalize the sweden of his era, reflecting both the country's natural beauty and its cultural aspirations. See less