Old Uppsala Temple & Cathedral — Dahlbergh

An extraordinary depiction of the legendary Old Uppsala Temple and its transformation into the Christian cathedral, from a monumental Swedish topographical work.

The upper image is titled Antiquissimum Gothorum Delubrum Upsalense (The Most Ancient Temple of the Goths at Uppsala). The lower image is titled Antiquum illud Ethnicum Templum prope Upsalam veterem, etiam in Christianum templum convertium (That ancient Ethnic Temple near old Uppsala, also converted into a Christian temple). Designed by Erik Dahlbergh. From Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna. Published in Stockholm, c. 1700.

Erik Dahlbergh's Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna was an ambitious project to document Sweden's historical and contemporary architecture and landscapes, aiming to glorify the Swedish Empire. This plate is particularly significant for its depiction of a legendary pagan temple, reflecting 17th-century antiquarian interest.

Copperplate engraving. Sheet size approximately 32.0 × 26.0 cm. Very Good.