A Lavish 16th-Century Christening: A Pictorial Record

The christening of Princess Elisabeth von Hessen-Kassel in 1596 was a four-day extravaganza featuring fireworks, knightly tournaments (among the last in Europe), and elaborate pageantry. Engineer-engraver Wilhelm Dilich commemorated the event with his richly illustrated work, *Historische Beschreibung der Kindtauf des Fräuleins Elisabeth zu Hessen* (Description of the Christening of Lady Elisabeth of Hesse). The images depict the four-day celebration and showcase the participants' costumes, drawing on mythological, allegorical, and historical figures: Hannibal, Impudence, Alexander the Great, Jason, Perseus, Fortune, and Julius Caesar all make appearances.