Antique Architectural View of Burgos Cathedral in Spain, circa 1850

An upright view of the west front of Burgos cathedral, an original antique steel engraving, uncolored, circa 1850. The caption beneath the image reads Die CATHÉDRALE in BURGOS / in Spanien, in English the cathedral in Burgos, Spain.

Two pierced spires crown the cathedral front and rise toward the top of the plate, above a rose window, tracery and deep portals, with the spiky lantern of the crossing behind at the left. At the left a row of houses with market stalls and awnings stands against the building, with figures in the street before them. A stone balustrade and stairs lead up to the doors at the center, people are gathered on the steps at the right, and a stormy sky with a plume of smoke fills the right background.

No artist or engraver is named on the sheet. Below the caption, the imprint at the left reads Aus der Kunstanst. des Bibliogr. Inst. in Hildbghsn. (from the art works of the Bibliographisches Institut in Hildburghausen), and at the right Eigenthum der Verleger. (property of the publishers). The plate number CLXXXIX is engraved at the top right, above the image.

The imprint is that of Meyer's Universum, a serial collection of engraved views with descriptive text, published by Joseph Meyer's Bibliographisches Institut at Hildburghausen from 1833, its plates engraved on steel. The sheet comes from a dealer's album rather than from a bound set. The cathedral of Burgos was begun in 1221.

Even age toning. Handling soiling along the bottom edge. A few small foxing spots in the margin. Slight wear at the bottom right and top left corners. Minor edge wear, shallow nicks along the top.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.