Matthaus Ii Merian Paintings

Matthäus Merian the Younger was a notable Swiss engraver born in Basel, Switzerland, on March 3, 1621. He was the son of Matthäus Merian the Elder, a renowned engraver and publisher, and his second wife, Johanna Sibylla Heim. He learned the art of copperplate engraving from his father, a craft that had a significant influence on European book illustration.

After his father's death in 1650, Matthäus II inherited the family's publishing house, based in Frankfurt, and continued the business with his brother Caspar. The Merian family publishing house was famous for its topographical and historical prints, books, and detailed city plans and maps. Matthäus II worked on several important projects, including the continuation of the 'Theatrum Europaeum,' a series of chronicles of European history, and the 'Topographia Germaniae,' a comprehensive collection of town views and maps of Germany and other parts of Europe, which his father had begun.

Matthäus II Merian also produced portraits and book illustrations, maintaining the high artistic standards set by his father's works. He collaborated with various artists and engravers to ensure the quality and accuracy of the engravings published under the Merian name.

Despite facing the challenges of the Thirty Years' War and its aftermath, which affected the economic stability of the Holy Roman Empire, Matthäus II managed to sustain the business and even expand it. His work provides a valuable visual record of European cities and landscapes during the 17th century.

He died on June 19, 1687, in Frankfurt am Main, leaving behind a legacy of art that remains significant to the fields of engraving and publishing. His descendants continued the family tradition, contributing to the art world for generations.