Jean Marot, Noble Abode: The Gardie Estate in Stockholm as Envisioned, 1670, Print

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Makalös or De la Gardieska palace, from 1643. View from Jacob's church. Later function as an arsenal and armory chamber. … Read more Makalös or De la Gardieska palace, from 1643. View from Jacob's church. Later function as an arsenal and armory chamber. Rebuilt as the Dramatic Theater in 1793. Destroyed by fire on November 24, 1825. Copper engraving in Suecia antiqua et hodierna, from about 1667. This print is from "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," which is a significant work depicting Sweden during its era as a great power. The collection of engravings was commissioned by Erik Dahlbergh, inspired by similar topographical works from the Swiss publisher Matthäus Merian. Granted royal privilege in 1661, Dahlbergh spent over a decade compiling the images for this work, which was published posthumously in three volumes. The print shows a grand estate with labels indicating various buildings or areas within the complex, such as the Chancellor's palace (A. Palatium Illustriss: Di: Regni Cancellarij), the Queen's garden (D. Hortus Reginae), and other features. The coat of arms at the top is accompanied by a dedication to Count Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie, a prominent Swedish statesman and military man of the era, who played a significant role in the Swedish Empire's administration. The engraving is signed "I.Marot Fecit," indicating that it was made by the French engraver Jean Marot. Marot was an architect and engraver known for his engravings of architecture and ornamentation, and his work is characterized by a high level of detail and precision. The name "Makalös" refers to a palace that once stood in Stockholm, Sweden, known as "Makalös" which translates to "peerless" or "incomparable" in English. It was located near Jacob's Church (Jakobs Kyrka) and was indeed a remarkable building of its time. Makalös was built by the wealthy merchant and statesman, Johan Jakobsson De la Gardie, and later became the residence of his son, Count Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie. The palace was constructed during the 17th century and was an example of the grand architecture of the Swedish Empire period. It was known for its lavish design and decoration, which made it stand out amongst the buildings in Stockholm. The building no longer exists; it was destroyed by fire in the early 1820s. However, its memory is preserved in historical documents and engravings like this one, which would have been created on 1 January 1670 if that is the noted creation date. These artworks provide valuable insights into the grandeur of Makalös and its significance in the history of Stockholm's urban landscape. See less