[View of the Wieliczka Mine, 1645]. Hondius Wilhelm, "Image of the Second Wieliczka Mines - Delineatio secunda Salisfodinae Wielicensis," 1645.

[View of the Wieliczka Mine, 1645]. Hondius Wilhelm, "Image of the Second Wieliczka Mine - Delineatio secunda Salisfodinae Wielicensis," 1645.

Copperplate; 38.5 x 48.5 (40 x 50.5 framed)
In the upper part of the engraving, a map and register of the mine's shafts and chambers (80 objects). In the lower part a cross-section of the mine, showing miners busy extracting and transporting salt. At the royal order, the court engraver of Wladyslaw IV, Wilhelm Hondius made 4 engravings devoted to the mines of Wieliczka, according to the drawings and calculations of the Swedish geometer Martin Germanus (Germanus). "These views have taken a permanent place both as a historical source and as a chapter in the history of our graphic arts, at the same time a unique work on a European scale." Paper uniformly yellowed, otherwise good condition, framed 59 x 70 cm. very rare.