1725 Engelbrecht Map and View of Venice, Italy

Martin Engelbrecht (1684-1756) and his brother Christian were artists, print sellers, and engravers based in Augsburg, Germany, during the first half of the 18th Century. The Engelbrecht firm was established in 1717 and produced more than 5,000 printed. Among their work are city views issued by Friedrich Bernhard Werner and others. The duo are better known for creating miniature diorama cards which, inserted into a display box offered religious scenes from a three dimensional perspective. They are the only engravers to have been granted a royal permission to produce such scenes – which at the time seemed magical. They also produced portraits of monarchs and other local dignitaries. The work of the Engelbrecht brothers has been called "beyond compare." The Engelbrecht firm launched the careers of several other artists, including Jeremias Wachsmuht and Johann David Nessenthaler. More by this mapmaker...

Friedrich Bernhard Werner (1690-1778) was a German-born civil engineer, trained in Nice, who went on to become an accomplished copper-plate engraver, interested in subjects of cityscapes, monuments, churches, and public works. During the mid-18th century Werner travelled extensively in Central Europe documenting the architecture of its most prominent cities. Learn More...