bavarikon4UViews from the Stadt- und Stiftsarchiv Aschaffenburg
The "Views" collection is part of the Stadt- und Stiftsarchiv Aschaffenburg's graphic art collection. Its content is primarily focused on topographical representations of the "Bavarian Lower Main" region with a focus on Aschaffenburg and includes illustrated sheets and book illustrations in a wide variety of formats and techniques, e.g. copperplate engravings, etchings, aquatints, lithographs, steel and wood engravings, drawings and watercolours. The collection is also enriched by regional maps, military sheets and pictures of events, portraits with a local reference and works by contemporary Aschaffenburg artists.
While Aschaffenburg is not yet represented in the illustrated printed works of the 15th and 16th centuries, books with views of Aschaffenburg, such as the copper engraving "Architecture of the Mainz Electors' new palace building St. Johannisburg in Aschaffenburg…" published by Georg Ridinger in 1616 in Mainz, appear simultaneously with the growing importance of the city as the second residence of the archbishops and electors of Mainz and the construction of Johannisburg Palace at the beginning of the 17th century. Other publications such as "Meisner's Treasure Chest" (1623) or the "Theatrum Europaeum" published by Matthäus Merian in 1633 influenced Aschaffenburg's printed graphic works until the 19th century. In addition to rare single-sheet prints and unique specimens, numerous city and individual views from 18th and 19th century illustrated travel and city descriptions form the core of the collection. 150 selected complete and individual views, e.g. of the palace, the St. Peter and Alexander collegiate church, the Pompeiianum and Schönbusch, allow viewers to get a vivid impression of the city of Aschaffenburg in bygone times.
Since 1939, the graphic art collection, which is remarkable for its completeness and quality, has united the holdings of the Stadt- und Stiftarchiv and the Geschichts- und Kunstverein Aschaffenburg e.V., founded in 1904. These have been demonstrably supplemented by acquisitions or enlarged by donations since 1948. In 1983, for example, the donation by Gustav Stadelmann (1896-1991), patron and honorary citizen of the city of Aschaffenburg, added over 800 graphic sheets of inestimable local and art historical value to the city and monastery archives.
>> This collection is part of the holdings of the Stadt- und Stiftsarchiv Aschaffenburg (Aschaffenburg City and Monastery Archive).