Madritum Madrit.

Article ID EUE4800

Title

Madritum Madrit.

Magnificent general view of the city of Madrid on the river Manzanares in Spain. Below the coat of arms of Madrid and a city index.

Year

ca. 1730

Artist

Engelbrecht (1672-1735)

Martin Engelbrecht was a Baroque-era engraver and art publisher. Working in Augsburg with his brother Christian (1672–1735), he specialized in ornament and vedute engraving. Over 3,000 prints are attributed to him, primarily city views, ornamental engravings, portraits, military and historical scenes, as well as allegorical representations. He is especially known for his copperplate series from around 1742–45 depicting "exotic" soldiers on the German battlefield (Theatre de la milice etrangere), showcasing foreign troops previously unknown in Germany. Engelbrecht’s publishing work also included numerous "cut-out sheets." During the Baroque period, paper crafts were a popular pastime for both children and adults. These sheets featured contemporary scenes such as hunting, rural life, soldiers, people in foreign lands, and native animals, which could be cut out, colored, and assembled. Some sheets even depicted complete interiors of homes, including kitchens, cellars, living rooms, bedrooms, and servant quarters.

Historical Description

The first evidence for the name Madrid comes from Arabic sources. As Arabic etymon the word -madschra- is taken as a basis, which can mean channel, water conduit or river bed. The Latin etymon is assumed to be -matricem-, which is translated here as 'source (of a stream)'. After 854, under the emir Muhammad (852 to 886), a Moorish castle (alcázar) was built on the site of today's Madrid Royal Palace. In 1561, Philip II moved the royal court from Valladolid to Madrid, beginning the city's rise. The part of Madrid built under the Spanish Habsburgs is still called "El Madrid de los Austrias" (The Madrid of the Habsburgs). In 1701, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out, leading to the Anglo-Portuguese occupation of the city in 1706. It ended in 1714 when the Bourbons took over the Spanish throne. Under their rule, the present Royal Palace was built. From 1808 to 1813, Madrid was occupied by the French, with Napoleon's brother Joseph Bonaparte appointed king. The occupiers had monasteries and entire neighborhoods razed to make new space. From 1833 to 1876, the three Carlist Wars were fought. During this time, a cholera epidemic also ravaged Madrid. In 1873 the first republic was proclaimed by the liberal politician and writer Emilio Castelar.

Place of Publication Augsburg
Dimensions (cm)20 x 29,5 cm
ConditionPerfect condition
Coloringblack/white
TechniqueCopper print