AN 18TH-CENTURY VIEW OF MECCA
Vienna or Leipzig, Austria, 1721 - 1725

Engraved view printed on laid paper, explanatory text in German and French (Prospect von einem Theil der grossen Stadt Mecha ... Prospect d’une partie de la grande ville de la Mecque), numerous locations identified by a key, numbered on the upper right corner plate 7, mounted, glazed and framed, the plate mark 30cm x 43.5cm.

This 18th-century view of Mecca was published as part of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach’s (1656 - 1723) large compilation of historical architecture entitled Entwurff einer historischen Architektur, divided into five books. The work had two purposes: firstly, to depict the architecture of non-European buildings on a large scale; and secondly, to promote Fischer von Erlach’s own architectural designs. An analogous plate was successfully sold at Christie's London, Mapping the Globe, Online Only sale 12850, 1 - 10 November 2016, lot 26.