Ahasverus Rottenberger metszete Buda 1598. évi ostromáról

Abstract

Very few representations appeared of the capital of the Hungarian Kingdom, Buda seized by the Ottomans in 1541, over the 16th century. Until the unsuccessful attempt to recapture Buda in 1598 only eight engravings are known. The siege of Buda as a significant event kindled interest and reports appeared all over Europe, but only eight pictorial reports – or engravings – were printed. The article briefly describes all depictions printed until 1598 and those of the siege. The latter were unfortunately re-moulding of earlier depictions and conveyed more or less fictitious vedutas, with one exception. The exception is the print based on imperial master builder Ahasverus Rottenberger’s on-the-spot survey drawings the whereabouts of which was unknown for nearly a hundred years. The writing discusses the search for the artistically mediocre engraving of Rottenberger, before evaluating it from diverse viewpoints, e.g. of local history. Importantly, this is the first print to correctly represent the topographic features of Buda, thanks to the careful observation.