Title Page, Europe, Thirty Years War, Matthaeus Merian, Johann Hulsmann,

"Historische Chronik Oder Warhaffter Beschreibung aller fürnehmen und denckwürdigen Geschichten so sich hin und wider in der Welt meisten theils aber in Europa von Anno Christi 1629. biß auff das Jahr 1633. zugetragen"

Copper engraved book title for one volume of Description of the "Thirty Year War"

by Matthaeus Merian (1593-1650)

Frankfurt on the Main, ca. 1650

Copper etching by Johann Hulsmann

Europe, Thirty Years War, Matthaeus Merian, Johann Hulsmann, Magistra Vitae

With plenty of emblematic symbolism: Trustes of Jericho, the Eye of God, the passing of time (Tempus), showing Death riding speedily on a winged fabulous creature with an hourglass in one hand and and a scythe in the other. A teacher (Magistra Vitae) is teaching History to a child. Lux veritatis, the light of truth, is symbolized by a crowned naked woman sitting on a globe of the World and holding a torch. The underworld (Inscitia = Ignorance) is symbolized by men chained to ignorance, others masked and chained with mendacity (Mendacium = the lie) and others dormant as if drugged with forgetfulness (Oblivio). The owl, symbol of wisdom sitting in back - unobserved.

Paper of print shows age toning. Four worm holes in image. Lower right margin corner missing. Strong impression. Some light creasing.

Image: 29 x 17,6 cm (ca. 11.4 x 6.9")