Saintes, South West France.
Braun & Hogenberg.
Frans Hogenberg & Simon Novellanus`
Xaintes. "
Saintes" Cologne G von Kempen 1600
Copper engraved view of Saintes on the Charente from the fifth volume of Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitas Orbis Terrarum. " French text to verso. Original old colour.
The birds eye view shows the city with the bridge over the Charente into the walled city. The two large churches dominate, with the remains of the Roman ampitheatre on the slopes of the hill behind and to the right part of the Roman aquaduct Good impression; Colours bright; 3 tiny wormholes & paper fault [ just right of cartouche repaired]; upper centre fold split repaired; small tear [10mm] to lower blank margin with repair.
The "Civitas Orbis Terrarum" of Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg was the first systemstic city atlas, possible intended to compliment the "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum "of Abraham Ortelius published in 1570.
There is strong evidence that Braun, Hogenberg and Ortelius discussed the planned work, although some scholars believe it was influenced by Sabastien Munster's "Cosmographia"
R A Skelton in his introduction to the facsimile edition [ 1965] puts the case f for the "Theatrum " of Ortelius being the model for the work ( "(it) is made abundantly clear by the similarity between the two works in title, in format and in the layout and serial order of the plates and text"
First publishe in 1572 in Cologne just two years after Ortelius' " Theatrum" it was published in six volumes in the years between 1572 and 1617.
Georg Braun [1541-1622], Canon of Cologne Cathedral wrote the preface for all but the last volume and also the text accompanying each plan or view on the verso.
The plates were engraved by Frans Hogenberg and Simon Novellanus after the original drawings of Joris Hoefnagel[1542-1600] who travelled with Ortelius through Italy and also made extensive travels through France Spain and England
Following the death of Frans Hogenberg the plates were engraved by Abraham Hogenberg, believed to be his son.
Jacob Hoefnagel continued the work of his father following his death, particularly the Austrian and Hungarian cities. Other notable contributers were Heinrich Rantzau with maps and plans of northern Europe, especially Denmark and Jacob van Deventer's plans of cities in the Netherlands. .
Braun corresponded with mapsellers and scholars throughout the world and it was his idea to include the figures of local inhabitants in the foreground of the plans and views, This was not just to add "Local colour" but believing the work could be of refence for Military use, particularly by the Turks. the insertion of images of the human form. specifically forbidden by Islam, was intended to prevent this.
Keoman vol2; B&H5/17. 360 by 457mm (14ΒΌ by 18 inches).
ref: 2029
€400
