Willem Swidde (c. 1660 in

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the Capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population ...

– 1697 in

Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...

) was a Dutch

draughtsman A draughtsman (British spelling) or draftsman (American spelling) may refer to: * An architectural drafter, who produced architectural drawings until the late 20th century * An artist who produces drawings that rival or surpass their other types ...

and engraver, active in Sweden. Willem Swidde's life is not well documented. He was recruited by Erik Dahlbergh to come to

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

to work with illustrating topographical and historical books. He came to Stockholm in 1688. His first commission was to make illustrations for a history of

Charles X Gustav of Sweden Charles X Gustav, also Carl Gustav ( sv, Karl X Gustav; 8 November 1622 – 13 February 1660), was King of Sweden from 1654 until his death. He was the son of John Casimir, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-Kleeburg and Catherine of Sweden. Afte ...

, ''De Rebus a Carlo Gustavo Sveciae Regis'', written by Samuel Pufendorf. Swidde made 18 of the 123 plates for the book. His next, main and final commission, which kept him occupied for the rest of his life, was the engraving of the illustrations for the grandly projected book ''

Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna ''Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna'' ("Ancient and Modern Sweden") is a collection of engravings collected by Erik Dahlbergh during the middle of the 17th century. ''Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna'' can be described as a grand vision of Sweden during its pe ...

'', a topographical work in the tradition of Matthäus Merian, intended to glorify Sweden. Swidde was one of a team of engravers, making 76 of the book's plates. He worked from drawings made by Dahlbergh, often correcting and bettering the motifs in cooperation with Dahlbergh. He died in Stockholm in 1697.

References

External links

* 1660s births 1697 deaths Dutch draughtsmen Engravers from Amsterdam Dutch expatriates in Sweden {{Netherlands-bio-stub