Utrecht – Braun & Hogenberg, 1582

UTRECHT IN THE FIRST GREAT TOWN BOOK OF THE WORLD – BRAUN AND HOGENBERG, 1582

“Trajectum“, copper engraving made by Frans Hogenberg between 1569–1572 for the town book “Civitates Orbis Terrarum“, published with Latin text on the reverse, (probaly) in 1582. Coloured by a later hand. Size: 33 × 47 cm.

In the 16th century, travel was widespread. With the exception of the number of pilgrims, the volume of travellers was greater than ever before. Merchants, students, ‘tourists’ and other adventurers moved in ever increasing numbers from one place to another. Cities were the most frequently visited destinations, being the centres of trade and public life at the time. Interest in cities was at least as great as interest in countries and regions. It therefore comes as no surprise that — two years after the appearance of the first modern world atlas in 1570, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum by Abraham Ortelius — a work appeared on the market that sought to describe and depict all the cities of the world: the Civitates Orbis Terrarum.

This town book would eventually run to six volumes, containing city plans, views and profiles of cities in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The 363 plates together feature 543 different representations of 475 cities.

Although the Civitates Orbis Terrarum was printed in Cologne, the work is, on the basis of its Flemish engraving style, a typically cartographic product of the Southern Netherlands. Initiator Frans Hogenberg (1535–1590), for instance, was not only one of the engravers of the Civitates, but also of Ortelius’ Theatrum. Another engraver, Simon van den Neuvel (Novellanus), received his training in Mechelen before relocating to Cologne.

The description on the reverse of the map of Utrecht was written by the Cologne canon Georg Braun:

Utrecht is praised as a rich and populous city, protected by walls, bastions and towers. The city is said to have been capable of defending itself both against enemy incursions and against flooding. The population drinks beer; wine is brought in by merchants. The name Traiectum is explained from “traicere“, meaning “to cross”, because a crossing point of the old Rhine is said to have existed here, or because merchants frequently passed through the city. At the same time, it is noted that the Rhine no longer flows directly past the city, and that Utrecht receives its water via canals and artificially constructed waterways.

The text emphasises the beauty and prosperity of the city: fine private residences, impressive collegiate churches and above all the Cathedral of Saint Martin. The surrounding area is also praised, with many well-built, walled and prosperous settlements nearby. According to the text, King Philip II, upon viewing the density of towns and villages in the region from an elevated vantage point, was said to have been particularly delighted by the fertility and prosperity of his territory.

Price: Euro 850,-