Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

The Devil's Bridge at Gotthard Pass and 12th-Century Rhone Bridge at St. Maurice

About the Item

The Devil's Bridge at Gotthard Pass and 12th-Century Rhone Bridge at St. Maurice: Hand-Colored Engraving from Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* This captivating hand-colored copperplate engraving showcases two iconic Swiss landmarks, blending the awe-inspiring natural landscape with feats of architectural ingenuity. Published in 1805 as part of Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s celebrated *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), the engraving highlights the Devil's Bridge at Gotthard Pass and the medieval bridge over the Rhone at St. Maurice, revealing the harmony between nature and human craftsmanship. Figures include: 1. The Devil's Bridge at Gotthard Pass, Switzerland (Figure 1): A dramatic depiction of the rugged mountain terrain, where a narrow stone bridge spans a cascading river. This legendary bridge, set against towering cliffs, evokes the perilous journeys and engineering marvels of the region. 2. The 12th-Century Bridge Over the Rhone at St. Maurice, Switzerland (Figure 2): A serene yet majestic scene featuring the iconic arched bridge with the Rhone River flowing beneath. Surrounded by lush foliage and a distant snow-capped peak, the composition highlights the historic significance and timeless beauty of this medieval structure. Published by Friedrich Johann Bertuch (1747–1822), a renowned German publisher and artist, this engraving is part of a 12-volume encyclopedia for children. Issued between 1790 and 1830, the series includes over 1,200 engraved plates covering natural history, science, mythology, and more, making it a cornerstone of Enlightenment-era education and art. Condition: The engraving is in very good condition with minor age-related foxing and slight edge discoloration. The hand-coloring remains vivid, capturing the dramatic and tranquil qualities of each scene. Advice on presentation: 1. Frame the engraving in a classic wooden or antique-style frame to complement its historical and artistic appeal. Use an acid-free mat in soft cream or light gray for a refined presentation. 2. Display in a gallery, library, or study alongside other architectural or landscape engravings to emphasize its cultural significance. 3. Add a descriptive plaque to provide historical context and highlight the importance of these bridges in Swiss history and folklore. 4. For archival purposes, store in a high-quality portfolio to preserve the piece and make it accessible for study or research. This engraving is an exceptional choice for collectors, historians, or admirers of Swiss landmarks and architectural history.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.06 in (23 cm)Width: 7.49 in (19 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1805
  • Condition:
    The engraving is in very good condition with minor age-related foxing and slight edge discoloration. The hand-coloring remains vivid, capturing the dramatic and tranquil qualities of each scene.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-14000-481stDibs: LU3054342875802

More From This Seller

View All
Great St. Bernard and St. Gotthard Passes: Alpine Routes of Switzerland, 1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: "Great St. Bernard and St. Gotthard Passes: Alpine Routes of Switzerland, 1805" Description This finely hand-colored copperplate engraving vividly depicts two iconic Alpine p...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of Soldiers of the 11th and 12th Century by Strutt '1842'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Soldiers of the Eleventh & Twelfth Centuries'. Original antique print of Soldiers of the 11th and 12th Century. This print originates from 'Illustration for Dre...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of the 12th Mughal Emperor by Valentijn, 1726
By F. Valentijn
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Evrangzeeb, 12de Groote Mogol'. This print depicts Farrukhsiyar, the 12th Mughal Emperor. Text on verso. This print originates from 'Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën' b...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Dutch Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Portrait of Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor'. Old portrait of Zachary Taylor. Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was the 12th president of the United States, servin...
Category

Antique 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Civilian Costume at the End of the 15th Century, 1847
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: "Civilian Costume at the End of the 15th Century" Description: The image is a print from a series the "Costume du Moyen Age" dated 1847, and titled "Costume Civil de la Fin d...
Category

Antique 1840s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Design for a New Bridge Across the Thames at Westminster, London, 1725
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'This new Design for a Bridge over the River Thames at London (..)'. Print of the design for a new bridge across the Thames at Westminster. This print originates from 'Vitruvius Britannicus...
Category

Antique 1720s Architectural Models

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

"a Devil Logician", Lithograph, Dali, 20th Century
By Salvador Dalí­
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
"A Logician Devil": color lithograph illustrating canto XXVII of hell from Dante's Divine Comedy It is signed Dali lower left, and is justified EA on the right Good condition, in a...
Category

20th Century Italian Other Prints

Materials

Paper

20th-Century Colorful Graphic / Bridges
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this illustration printed from a book with depictions of bridges. This is one of the six graphics regarding construction. This graphic is made of passe-portout, fra...
Category

20th Century European Prints

Materials

Paper

Robert Adam Architect "Perspective View of The Bridge at Sion" Rare Etching
By Robert Adam
Located in Sharon, CT
A rare period hand colored etching of the Robert Adam designed bridge at the Chataeu de Sion. Unframed. Paper size: 19.5" x 25.75. Image size: 18" x 23.5". From 'The Works in Archite...
Category

Antique 1760s English Adam Style Prints

Materials

Paper

Bernhard E. Rhone Oxidized Metal Etching
By Bernhard Rohne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bernhard Rhone Oxidized Metal Etching c.1970s, Canada. Rhone, a German born artist began experimenting with metal oxidation and acid etching in the late 1960s to create a body of wor...
Category

Vintage 1970s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Prints

Materials

Metal

Bwana Devil
Located in London, GB
Original US film poster for the 1953 3-D adventure film Bwana Devil, starring Robert Stack, Barbara Britton, Nigel Bruce. The film was directed by Arch Ob...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Posters

Materials

Paper

'The Market Square at Pirna' - Antique Engraving - Germany - 18th/19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
'The Market Square at Pirna' (After Bernardo Bellotto) - Antique copper plate engraving on paper - titled (in German) in pencil lower left - signe...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Renaissance Prints

Materials

Paper

Recently Viewed

View All