Antique Print – COLOSSUS-WORLD EMPIRES – [Baeck-Seutter-Augsburg-c.1730]

‘Colossus Monarchic Statua Danielis’

Impressive large allegorical print of a colossus figure representing the great world Empires as Daniel interpreted in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The warrior stands steadfast on the coast in martial gear with a scepter in his right hand. The monarchical successions of the world’s major civilizations are listed on his armor and legs. He is surrounded by three mythical creatures and a bear who represent the greatest empires: Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. A scroll cartouche in the upper left lists the Roman gods in Latin.

Part of a series of 4 colossus’s with historic w/ cartographic reference.

Engraved by Elias Baeck (not listed on this ed.). Elias Baeck (1679–1747) called “Heldenmuth”, was a German painter and engraver from Augsburg. Baeck worked for some time in Rome, then in Laybach, but finally returned to Augsburg, where he died in 1747. His chief works — both in painting and engraving — were portraits and landscapes. His engravings are sometimes signed “E.B.a.H.”, standing for “Elias Baeck, alias Heldenmuth” (See : Graves, Robert Edmund. Bryan’s Dictionary of Painters and Engravers (A–K). I (3rd ed.). London: George Bell & Sons.) Published by: Matthaus Seutter the elder (1678-1757) who was an engraver, globe maker and map publisher based in Augsburg, c.1730.

Size: image: c.56×49 cm; sheet c.60x55cm.

Condition: Very good given age. Original horizontal fold as issued. Light foxing and some staining in margins. Paper a bit wobbly. Rust stain. Small worm hole. General age related toning and small imprerfections. Please study scans carefully.

Nijn-PCO-Expo-245