Schwedischen Fewerwerks. Anno 1650

A depiction of the Swedish fireworks at Nuremberg in honor of the Swedish plenipotentiary in Germany, Count Palatine Carl Gustav (the future king of Sweden, Charles X Gustav). For an account of this event and depictions of the fireworks see Eberhard Fähler, Feuerwerke des Barock, p. 152-155, 192. Title from lettering in banner in upper center of the image Originally published in: Theatrum Europaeum. Vol. 6 (Frankfurt: M. Merian, 1652), following p. 1048 (Fähler, p. 192, no. 103). Probably engraved by Caspar, younger son of Matthäus Merian, who took over the work of etching for the Merian publishing house and its Theatrum Europaeum after about 1645 (see Grove dict. of art).