A prospect of Munich at the start of the 18th century

WENING, Michael.

Die Churfürstliche Haubt und Residenzstatt München, Wie solche von Nidergang der Sonnen gegen dem Aufgang anzusehen ist.
Munich: Johann Lucas Straub, 1701. Three sheets conjoined, total 265 x 1055mm.

Restoration to folds, laid on archival paper.

A magnificent prospect of Munich, drawn and engraved by Michael Wening (1645-1718), for the first volume of his 'Landesbeschreibung', a four-volume description of Bavaria published 1701-26. The city is shown from the west, with an extensive key of important buildings.
This plate was published the year that the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14) started. The defensive walls shown here initially deterred the Duke of Marlborough from attacking the city, but his victory at the Battle of Blenheim (1704) broke the Bavarian army. The resulting Treaty of Ilbersheim allowed the Austrians to occupy Munich without a siege.
Wening, who was Court Engraver to the Electorate of Bavaria, suffered during the Austrian occupation. He continued with the 'Landesbeschreibung', but the cost drove him into poverty. The last volumes was published by his heirs.


Stock ID : 20688