1575 Namurcum
By: Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg
Date: 1575 (Published) Cologne
Dimensions: 14.5 x 19.5 inches (37 x 49.5 cm)
This marvelous map of sixteenth century Namur, Belgium comes from Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg’s Civitates Orbis Terrarum, the atlas of cities of the world recognized as one of the greatest achievements of late 16th and early 17th century European cartography. The bird’s-eye view of the city depicts Namur as it appeared circa 1570, at the confluence of the Sambre and Musse rivers. The view is from a northeast perspective showing the tower of Saint Jean Baptiste rising high over the city.
Namur is the capital of French Belgium, in the province of Wallonia. The city dates back to Roman times, with a citadel initially constructed as a Roman mercantile outpost due to its location at the confluence of the two rivers. The Citadel is a popular historical site, and much of the Medieval city is still visible, including landmarks such as the Belfry of Namur, originally one of many guard towers in the city walls. The map shows the use of water as fortification as a moat encircles the walls of the oldest and most densely populated part of the city.
The environs reveal a busy agricultural region, with fenced enclosures and large farmhouses indicating the wealth of the city. Livestock are depicted grazing, and horsemen and people afoot are seen leaving the city. Boats navigate both rivers, with some moored next to the city walls. Many church steeples are featured. A couple in the foreground depict clothing styles of the era. The map is embellished with a small strapwork title cartouche with heraldic symbols on either side. A brief descriptive inset in Latin in the lower left is featured inside a decorative strapwork cartouche. Latin text on the verso of one side of the sheet provides additional information about the city and its history.
Georg Braun (1541-1622) was born and died in Cologne. His primary vocation was as Catholic cleric; he spent thirty-seven years as canon and dean at the church St. Maria ad Gradus, in Cologne. Braun was the chief editor of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, the greatest book of town views of that time to be published. His job entailed hiring artists, acquiring source material for the maps and views, and writing the text. In this role, he was assisted by Abraham Ortelius. Braun lived into his 80s, and he was the only member of the original team to witness the publication of the sixth volume in 1617.
Frans Hogenberg (ca. 1540-ca. 1590) was a Flemish and German engraver and mapmaker who also painted. He was born in Mechelen, south of Antwerp, the son of wood engraver and etcher Nicolas Hogenberg. Together with his father, brother (Remigius), uncle, and cousins, Frans was a member of a prominent artistic family in the Netherlands. During the 1550s, he worked in Antwerp with the famous mapmaker Abraham Ortelius. There, he engraved the maps for Ortelius’ groundbreaking first atlas, published in Antwerp in 1570. Later, Ortelius supported Hogenberg with information for the Civitates Orbis Terrarum. Hogenberg engraved the majority of the work’s 546 prospects and views.
Condition: This map is in B condition. The sides are trimmed to the neat line and an area close to the lower centre is slightly faded. Ther are small separations and tiny chipping on both sides of the map.
Inventory #12859
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