Relation de l’inauguration solemnelle de sa sacrée majesté imperiale et catholique, Charles VI., Empereur des Romains, toujours auguste, et troisiéme du nom, Roy des Espagnes, comme Comte de Flandres, celebrée à Gand, ville capitale de la province, le XVIII. octobre 1717 (Gand [Ghent]: Augustin Graet, 1719). Purchased with funds from the Rare Book Division and the Graphic Arts Collection 2016- in process

The monumental engravings in this recently acquired festival book celebrate the investiture of Emperor Charles VI as Count of Flanders on October 18, 1717. The ceremonial stage in the Place au Vendredy, Ghent; multiple firework displays; and events at the grand Theatre are among the scenes documented.

A fusion of Flemish, Dutch, Belgian, and French artists were involved in the publication’s seven plates, including engravers Michael Heylbrouck, Jan-Baptiste Berterham, and Jacobus Harrewijn, working after designs by Jean-Baptiste Van Volsom, Jacques Colin, and Karel Eykens.