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Lot Essay
Gustav II Adolph (9 December 1594 - 6 November 1632), widely known as Gustavus Adolphus Magnus, was King of Sweden (1611-1631) and founder of the Swedish Empire. Having lead his nation to military supremacy during the Thirty Years' War, he is known as one of the greatest military commanders of all time.
The central scene on the base depicts the landing of Gustavus and his army on Usedom, Pomerania on 26 June 1630. Gustavus is said to have fallen on his knees on the beach to entreat the mercies of the God of Battles. After landing on the coast of Usedom, Gustavus is able to march his armies from the Oder to the Rhine, conquering half of Germany in one single campaign.
In 1631, he occupies Mainz on the West bank of the Rhine, where he organizes a central government for Swedish Germany. In March 1632 Gustavus starts his invasion into Bavaria. In the Battle of Lech he is able to defeat Tilly, one of the most experienced generals of the Holy Roman Empire and in May 1632 he is able to take Augsburg and Munich. After these successes Gustavo's luck seems to turn; after some setbacks he is defeated at the Battle of Lutzen in 1632.
The city depicted on the other side of the base, entered by the triumphant king on horseback, is probably either Mainz, Augsburg or Munich, the three most important cities Gustavus conquered.
The figures on the corners of the base most likely represent Gustavus himself; his legatus (general officer) Axel Oxenstierna, and Johan Banér, field marshal in Gustavus' army.
The central scene on the base depicts the landing of Gustavus and his army on Usedom, Pomerania on 26 June 1630. Gustavus is said to have fallen on his knees on the beach to entreat the mercies of the God of Battles. After landing on the coast of Usedom, Gustavus is able to march his armies from the Oder to the Rhine, conquering half of Germany in one single campaign.
In 1631, he occupies Mainz on the West bank of the Rhine, where he organizes a central government for Swedish Germany. In March 1632 Gustavus starts his invasion into Bavaria. In the Battle of Lech he is able to defeat Tilly, one of the most experienced generals of the Holy Roman Empire and in May 1632 he is able to take Augsburg and Munich. After these successes Gustavo's luck seems to turn; after some setbacks he is defeated at the Battle of Lutzen in 1632.
The city depicted on the other side of the base, entered by the triumphant king on horseback, is probably either Mainz, Augsburg or Munich, the three most important cities Gustavus conquered.
The figures on the corners of the base most likely represent Gustavus himself; his legatus (general officer) Axel Oxenstierna, and Johan Banér, field marshal in Gustavus' army.