Antique hand-colored copperplate engraving depicting the Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles Borromeo) in Vienna, built by vow of Emperor Charles VI following the 1713 Vienna plague and dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo. 

This engraving comes from the landmark folio titled Entwurf einer historischen Architektur (A Plan of Historical Architecture), published in 1721 by the renowned Austrian Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. 

It is considered one of the most historically significant plates in the entire series because the church was Fischer von Erlach's architectural masterpiece.

The engraving is titled in both German and French along the lower margin, identifying the church and its imperial patron. 

Two decorative roundels appear at the top: one referencing commemorative gold and silver medals struck for the church, the other depicting the church dome with a Latin inscription dated 1715, the year of the church foundation. 

The plate is numbered No. XII and carries an engraver/designer credit reading Fischers along with a period printing privilege notice. 

The scene is animated with numerous figures, carriages, and horses in the foreground square. A Latin inscription carved into the church pediment in the image reads VOTA MEA REDDAM IN CONSPECTU TIMENTIUM DEUM.

Condition: Overall paper toning consistent with age. Some irregular texture along the top edge. Hand-coloring vivid and intact throughout. Minor tears in margin. One tear in top margin going 3/8th inch into image area. Faded tape residue at top of top margin near tear. Please review photos for full condition detail.  Tape remnants on reverse. Faded tape residue at the bottom of lower margin. Image is approximately 13.5 inches x 16.5 inches.

See our related listing  1721 Engraving Statue Olympian Zeus Phidias Fischer von Erlach
Item ID: 178351866055