Copperplate engraving, 570x495 mm. Period hand-painted. Fine specimen, trimmed at the upper margin to the line and at the lower margin with partial loss of text, minor mends to the left marg. Trace of central crease. One of four prints that originally appeared in the Atlas Novus of 1728. This curious image shows a king, flanked on the right by crowns, sceptres, arms and musical instruments and on the left by twelve large armorial bearings, with the Habsburg imperial coat of arms at the top. On the body and armour are listed the kings of the various European nations from the 1st to the 17th century, with their stars and zodiac signs and dates of death. Matthäus Seutter (1678-1757) was one of the most important and prolific German map publishers of the 18th century. Seutter, after an apprenticeship with Homann in Nuremberg, moved to Augsburg around 1710 and opened his own business, surpassing his master in terms of beauty: his maps always have brilliant colours and elaborate cartouches. In 1732, Seutter was one of the most prolific publishers of his time and was honoured by the German Emperor Charles VI with the title 'Imperial Geographer'. He continued to publish until his death in 1757, at the height of his career. The Seutter company continued under his son, Albrecht Carl, until his death in 1762.