A prospect of Munich at the start of the 18th century

A magnificent prospect of Munich, drawn and engraved by Michael Wening (1645-1718), for the first volume his 'Landesbeschreibung', a four-volume description of Bavaria published 1701-26. The city is shown from the west, with an extensive key of important buildings. This plate was published the year that the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14) started. The defensive walls shown here initially deterred the Duke of Marlborough from attacking the city, but his victory at the Battle of Blenheim (1704) broke the Bavarian army. The resulting Treaty of Ilbersheim allowed the Austrians to occupy Munich without a siege. Wening, who was Court Engraver to the Electorate of Bavaria, suffered during the Austrian occupation. He continued with the first volume of his 'Landesbeschreibung', but the cost drove him into poverty. The last volumes was published by his heirs.