Herman Padtbrugge, Ulriksdal Castle, 1685, Print

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This original print is a hand-colored engraving of Ulriksdal Castle, also historically known as "Jacobsdal" due to its location in … Read more This original print is a hand-colored engraving of Ulriksdal Castle, also historically known as "Jacobsdal" due to its location in the area of Solna near Stockholm, Sweden. The title "Iacobsdahl Occidentem verso" suggests that the view is facing west. Ulriksdal Castle is one of the Royal Palaces of Sweden and is situated on the banks of Edsviken Lake in the National City Park in Solna. Herman Padtbrugge, a Dutch artist noted for his work as an engraver, created this piece. Padtbrugge was active during the 17th century and is recognized for his contributions to various topographical and architectural prints. Given the historical significance of Ulriksdal Castle and the craftsmanship of Herman Padtbrugge, the print comes from a larger work detailing notable Swedish landmarks, possibly even "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," although Padtbrugge is not commonly listed among the main engravers for this work. Today, Ulriksdal Castle is maintained as a historical site and museum. It is open to the public, offering insights into royal life in Sweden over the centuries, with well-preserved interiors from different eras. The castle's beautiful park and gardens continue to be a popular attraction for visitors. More about the engraver: Herman Padtbrugge was a Dutch illustrator, draughtsman, and printmaker born not long before January 20, 1656, in Amsterdam. Baptized in the Oude Waalse Kerk, he was the son of Dionysius Padtbrugge, also an engraver, and Magdaleine Godin. Herman was part of a family deeply integrated into the artistic and cultural scene, with connections to several notable artists and craftsmen. Padtbrugge's early life involved a move to Stockholm around 1669 with his family, where he later came under the patronage of the artist David Ehrenstrahl. By 1670, he was already in the care of Ehrenstrahl, and soon he made the acquaintance of Erik Dahlberg, a relationship that would shape much of his later work. During his time in Sweden, he was employed by the Antikvitetscollegium and created frontispieces and book illustrations. In 1676, Padtbrugge returned to Amsterdam, where he lived with the bookseller Jan ten Hoorn and continued to work as an illustrator for various publishers, including collaborations with Jan Luyken. By around 1683, he was back in Stockholm, where he produced topographical prints for Erik Dahlberg's "Suecia antiqua et hodierna," a grand work documenting the historical and contemporary landscapes of Sweden. Padtbrugge lived in Stockholm in the house of a wigmaker on Stortorget. Tragically, Herman Padtbrugge's life came to an early end when he committed suicide on December 29, 1686, for reasons that remain unknown. His contributions to the world of printmaking, particularly through his detailed topographical prints, have left a lasting impression on the documentation of Swedish history and architecture. His work remains an important part of the visual record of Sweden's past. See less