Civitates Orbis Terrarum - Braun / Hogenberg 1574–1618

De Civitates Orbis Terrarum – Cities of the World

This 6-volume work records the maps of the explored regions of the world of the 16th Century. The Flemish engraver Franz Hogenberg accomplished this feat with the help of the Cologne Theologian Georg Braun, who served as the publisher. This massive work consists of 1600 pages with over 600 city plans and views. This incredible book also grants extensive side information of the depicted places, which rounds out the work well and bestows it with a strong sense of the joy of discovery and the desire to comprehend a larger world.

A View of the Larger, Wider World

This enormous work was edited and created between 1572 and 1618, which is also known under the title (in German) Beschreibung und Contrafactur der vornembster Stät der Welt. Therefore, this work predates by nearly a half century the well-known Topographia Germaniae, which was created by the capable Matthäus Merians. Together with the Cologne Theologian Georg Braun, the Flemish engraver Franz Hogenberg was the project leader. Also known by the Latin title Civitates Orbis Terrarum, the work is a collection of the great and important cities of Europe, Asian, Africa, and even America. The wealth of locations in this work goes from London to Cuzco in Mexico, Weimar and Salzburg, as well as cities like Vilnius. Therefore, this 6-volume work is considered to be the oldest collection of cityscapes across the entire world. The historical importance of this work is also crucial; it provides a systematic mapping of the structures of many medieval cities that were, shortly after the publication of this book, destroyed during the 30 Years’ War and then rebuilt during the baroque reconstruction.

Sweeping View, Artful Design

A complete Atlas in the most modern sense, the work contains the most complete information of city plans that were available. The various cities are their surrounding landscapes are often imbued with decorations and artful figures. Many of the inhabitants of these cities are shown engaged in the activities of their daily lives, which gives the reader information about what each local population generally did for a living. Coats of arms and elevation markers fill in among the detail of each city view. Each of these city views are complete with descriptions of the geography, history, and economy of each of the respective locations, which were authored by Georg Braun. The cityscapes are truly a treasure trove of seemingly endless pages of information that will interested any enthusiast of the Humanities. This work not only stimulates the mind, but also offers the eye endless enjoyment through the lovely design and artist shaping of the maps. Hogenberg’s etchings were artfully colored and, with the staffage and genre scenes already mentioned, resemble standalone panel paintings.