Braun and Hogenberg 16th century views of Europe | Fine Antique Prints

(Rome) Braun and Hogenberg. Cologne, c. 1572

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:57:34 +0000

“Urbis Romae…” (Rome)
This view of Rome was included in
Civitates Orbis Terrarum
, the first systematic series of city views, published in Amsterdam between 1572 and 1617. This great work included bird’s-eye views and map of all major cities in Europe, plus important cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; all the known world at that time. Edited and annotated by theologian and publisher Georg Braun with most plates engraved by Franz Hogenberg, the Civitates was intended as a companion volume for Abraham Ortelius’s 1570 world atlas, Theatrum orbis terrarum. Over a hundred different artists and cartographers contributed to the sumptuous artwork, which not only shows the towns but also features additional elements, such as figures in local dress, ships, ox-drawn carts, courtroom scenes, and topographical details to help convey the situation, commercial power, and political importance of the towns depicted. These views provide wonderfully comprehensive views of urban life at the turn of the 17th century.
In this image, the Tiber River flows through the foreground and the ancient walls are clearly shown encircling the entire city. North is to the left. A translation of the Latin caption in the upper left reads “Layout of the city of Rome with the remains of the old monuments as they can still be seen today as drawn by Pyrrhus Ligorius of Naples, Rome 1570.” Most of the sights familiar to tourists today are drawn and identified including the Vatican at the lower left, the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column and Forum, The Colosseum, the Forum, etc. and some, such as the Circus Maximus are shown in much better preserved than they are today.
15 ½ x 21 inches, sheet.
Engraving with modern hand coloring.
Good condition overall but remargined at top.

(Chester, UK) Braun and Hogenberg, Cologne, ca. 1572

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:57:33 +0000

“Cestia Vulgo Chester, Angliae civitas”

This view of the English border city of Chester was included in
Civitates Orbis Terrarum
, the first systematic series of city views, published in Amsterdam between 1572 and 1617. This great work included bird’s-eye views and map of all major cities in Europe, plus important cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; all the known world at that time. Edited and annotated by theologian and publisher Georg Braun with most plates engraved by Franz Hogenberg, the
Civitates
was intended as a companion volume for Abraham Ortelius’s 1570 world atlas,
Theatrum orbis terrarum
. Over a hundred different artists and cartographers contributed to the sumptuous artwork, which not only shows the towns but also features additional elements, such as figures in local dress, ships, ox-drawn carts, courtroom scenes, and topographical details to help convey the situation, commercial power, and political importance of the towns depicted. These views provide wonderfully comprehensive views of urban life at the turn of the 17th century.
Chester is a Cathedral City on the River Dee close to the English /Welsh border, an ancient town founded by the Romans as a main army camp in 79 AD. This magnificent original hand colored engraving details the walled city and its gates as well as cathedral and churches with small houses ringing green garden spaces, horses and cows grazing outside the town walls. Male figures in flower right foreground in contemporary costume. The top left cartouche features the British rampant lion and Welsh dragon.

Copperplate engraving with full original hand color.
16 x 21.5 sheet size.
Excellent original condition.

(Naples) Braun and Hogenberg. Cologne, c. 1572

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:57:33 +0000

“Neapolis…” (Naples)
This view of Naples was included in
Civitates Orbis Terrarum
, the first systematic series of city views, published in Amsterdam between 1572 and 1617. This great work included bird’s-eye views and map of all major cities in Europe, plus important cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; all the known world at that time. Edited and annotated by theologian and publisher Georg Braun with most plates engraved by Franz Hogenberg, the Civitates was intended as a companion volume for Abraham Ortelius’s 1570 world atlas, Theatrum orbis terrarum. Over a hundred different artists and cartographers contributed to the sumptuous artwork, which not only shows the towns but also features additional elements, such as figures in local dress, ships, ox-drawn carts, courtroom scenes, and topographical details to help convey the situation, commercial power, and political importance of the towns depicted. These views provide wonderfully comprehensive views of urban life at the turn of the 17th century.
Naples played a memorable role in Greek mythology as the site where the siren Parthenope was buried. . According to legend, the sirens cast themselves into the sea in fury after Odysseus failed to be seduced by their songs. The fertile soil and sea breezes made Naples one of the favorite vacation destinations for the Romans and is why between 1450 and 1550 the city grew from 40,00 to 150,00 inhabitants and Europe’s second biggest city after Paris. It was a bustling city and trading port with impregnable citadels of protection. Naples is the third largest city in Italy today and the site of The National Archeological Museum containing many treasures removed from Pompeii. The key at the bottom of the engraving identifies 71 places.
15 ¾ x 20 ½ inches, sheet.
Engraving with modern hand coloring.
Excellent condition.

(Avignon) Braun and Hogenberg, Cologne, ca. 1572

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:57:32 +0000

“Avignon”
This view of the French city of Avignon was included in
Civitates Orbis Terrarum
, the first systematic series of city views, published in Amsterdam between 1572 and 1617. This great work included bird’s-eye views and map of all major cities in Europe, plus important cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; all the known world at that time. Edited and annotated by theologian and publisher Georg Braun with most plates engraved by Franz Hogenberg, the Civitates was intended as a companion volume for Abraham Ortelius’s 1570 world atlas, Theatrum orbis terrarum. Over a hundred different artists and cartographers contributed to the sumptuous artwork, which not only shows the towns but also features additional elements, such as figures in local dress, ships, ox-drawn carts, courtroom scenes, and topographical details to help convey the situation, commercial power, and political importance of the towns depicted. These views provide wonderfully comprehensive views of urban life at the turn of the 17th century.
“Avignon is shown from the south in a bird’s-eye view that almost resembles a plan. On the other side of the Rhone lies Villeneuve, the site of the Carthusian monastery… Many of Avignon’s medieval structures have been preserved such as the massive city walls (14th cent.). The city scape is dominated by the Romanesque cathedral of Notre- Dame des Doms dating from the 12th century and the fortress-like Palace of the Popes…The Saint-Benezet bridge, which was commemorated in the traditional French song “Sur le pont d’Avignon”, dates from the 12th century. The plate shows the original bridge which was almost completely destroyed by floods in 1668. In 1309-1376 Avignon was the residence of the popes, during what is known as the Avignon exile, Up to 1797 Avignon remained in papal ownership. Silk making was an important economic activity in Avignon. Remarkable are the four windmills that can be seen on the some 60 m high limestone bluff that rises up in the middle of the town.” (Cities of the World – 363 Engravings that Revolutionized the World, Taschen, p. 150)
15 ¼ x 21 ¼ inches, sheet.
Engraving with modern handcoloring.
Eacellent condition.