What we know about medieval cities: 90 selected cityscapes from the collection of Franz Hogenberg and Georg Braun
Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
Cologne (Germany) — 1574–1618

Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
Cologne (Germany) — 1574–1618
This is a selection of 90 cityscapes and maps from the fabulous six-volume *Civitatis Orbis Terrarum*
An extremely popular masterpiece by Frans Hogenberg and Simon van den Neuwel, printed by Georg Braun
These depictions are of tremendous importance today for our knowledge of medieval city structures

Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
Frontispiece
Seated on a throne on top of a stone inscribed with the title of the work at hand, a regnal female figure is shown holding the drafting tools of a cartographer as though they were royal regalia: she has a simple square and compass in her left hand while holding a T-square like a scepter in the other. The queen of cartography is dressed in brightly colored classical robes with her gaze fixed squarely on the beholder. It is a wonderful woodcut giving us a preview of the work’s refinement.
Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
- Civitates Orbis Terrarum
- Städteansichten - Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
Short Description
Between 1574 and 1618, the Cologne-based theologian Georg Braun (1541–1622) and the Flemish copperplate engraver Franz Hogenberg (1535–1590) published the six-volume work Civitatis Orbis Terrarum. The Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt is a selection of 90 cityscapes and maps from this impressive work, which set new standards and which served for a century as a template and rich source for other printed works. Franz Hohenberg still fascinates the modern beholder with his lavish and realistic representations that carry them off into the medieval cities of Europe, Africa, Asia, and even America.
Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
The Cologne-based theologian Georg Braun (1541–1622) and the Flemish copperplate engraver Franz Hogenberg (1535–1590) already published the six-volume work Civitatis Orbis Terrarum two generations before Matthäus Merian. Featuring over 600 cityscapes and maps, it was trendsetting and functioned as a template and rich source for other works. There is now a selection of 90 realistic depictions on 56 double-pages from this great collection. Graphics of all sizes depicting cities in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America originated between 1574 and 1618.
Successful Duo
The theologian, canon, and dean from Cologne, Georg Braun (1541–1622) undertook only a few journeys himself as the author and publisher of the Civitatis Orbis Terrarum. Instead, he was able to obtain many examples through his numerous contacts, which could then be executed by the copperplate engraver and etcher Franz Hogenberg (1535–1590). In addition to the lavishly designed and richly colored prints, the information about the geographical location, historical development, and economic situation of all the cities were contained in accompanying texts written by Braun in an entertaining and informative manner.
Evidence of Urban Development
These cityscapes and maps are of tremendous importance today for our knowledge of medieval city structures. They expand our knowledge of the cities and their destruction in the 30 Years’ War and their subsequent renovation in the Baroque style. Furthermore, the extremely detailed depictions contain much additional information with their coats of arms and the small genre scenes showing the lives of the farmers and fishermen. The modern beholder thus receives an inside look into local customs and learns contemporary fashions.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Civitates Orbis Terrarum
Städteansichten - Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt - Size / Format
- 248 pages / 43.0 × 70.0 cm
- Origin
- Cologne (Germany)
- Date
- 1574–1618
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 56 double-pages with 90 cityscapes
- Content
- Selection of 90 cityscapes on 56 double pages of Civitates Orbis Terrarum by Braun and Hogenberg, the largest and most famous city atlas of the 16th century
- Artist / School
- Franz Hogenberg (1535–1590), Georg Braun (1541–1622)

Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
Cityscape of Regensburg
Identified by its French name – Ratisbona – the city of Regensburg is depicted in a view from the hills to the north. The imperial eagle designates it as a free city of the Holy Roman Empire, with the crossed keys of Regensburg’s coat of arms on the right and the arms of the Wittelsbach family, the ruling house of Bavaria, on the left.
With the help of the key in the lower-right corner, this splendid copperplate identifies important sites in the city, including monastic communities, the cathedral, bishop’s residence, and town hall. The confluence of the rivers Danube and Regen, for which Regensburg is named, is shown on the far left. Regensburg’s red-tiled roofs and Italian trade connections have caused it to be dubbed “Italy’s most northern city”.
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt“
Städteansichten - Contrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
- Publisher
- Coron Verlag – Gütersloh, 1999
- Binding
- Cowhide with elaborated gold and blind embossing and gilt-edging on three sides
- More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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