Beschrijving
Engraving of August II
Augustus II the Strong (1670-1733) was Elector of Saxony and King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1697 to 1706 and again from 1709 until his death. To secure the Polish crown, he converted from Lutheranism to Catholicism. He was famous for his exceptional physical strength and his lavish court, transforming Dresden into a major center of Baroque art and architecture. His reign included involvement in the Great Northern War, which weakened both Saxony and Poland. Although he was an influential patron of culture, his political and military achievements were mixed, and his rule contributed to the decline of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Engraving by C.A. Wortmann after Louis de Silvestre. Including a full page of biographical information on August II in German.
