Wilhelm Dilich’s Commemoration of the Baptism of Elisabeth of Hesse (1598) — The Public Domain Review

When Princess Elisabeth von Hessen-Kassel (1596–1625) was baptized in 1596, the festivities lasted four days. There were fireworks displays, knightly tournaments (some of the last ever held in Europe) and much pageantry. Two years later, the engineer-engraver Wilhelm Dilich (1571–1650) commemorated the event with a richly decorated work entitled Historical description of the Kindtauf des Fräuleins Elisabeth zu Hessen (Description of the baptism of Lady Elisabeth of Hesse). The footage captures the four-day celebration and captures the mythological, allegorical and historical costumes of the celebrants: Hannibal, Impudence, Alexander the Great, Jason, Perseus, Fortune and Julius Caesar all appear.