Merian, Matthäus

Merian, Matthäus (mäte'oos mā'rēän) [key], the elder, 1593–1650, Swiss engraver and draftsman. In Frankfurt am Main from c.1623, he produced, with help from assistants, numerous engravings of battles and hunts, and topographic prints of European towns. His notable prints include Dance of Death, illustrations for Gottfried's Chronik, and the series Theatrum Europaeum. His son, Matthäus Merian,. the younger, 1621–87, portrait and historical painter, worked throughout Europe. He is best represented by Martyrdom of St. Lawrence (cathedral, Bamberg) and a portrait of his sister, the artist Maria Sibylla Merian (Basel).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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