Civitates Urbis terrarum - Cities of the World 1574 - Volume I (Facsimile)

The first volume of the six volumes of the famous Renaissance work "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", originally published in 1574.

This narrative series was produced between 1574 and 1618 under the title Beschreibung und Contrafactur der vornembster Stät der Welt and represents the most extensive and important collection of 16th-century city views and plans.

The work of Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg captures with exceptional accuracy and artistic value the image of the then known world - including the newly discovered territories. The veduta are complemented by descriptions of towns, local scenes, coats of arms, ships, clothing and other details that offer an authentic insight into 16th-century life.

The content and structure of the volume offers dozens of meticulously crafted town plans and vedutae, which are hand-coloured using the copperplate technique. The illustrations are accompanied by Latin texts with detailed descriptions of the cities, their geography, history and cultural significance. The volume also includes an introduction to the entire series and a clear catalogue of all the veduta.

Specifications:

• Original title: Beschreibung und Contrafactur der vornembster Stät der Welt
• Authors: Georg Braun (editor and texts) & Franz Hogenberg (copper engravings)
• First published: 1574, Cologne
• Scope: 1st volume (of 6), approx. 250 pages, hand-coloured city vedutas
• Dimensions: 41 × 28 cm
• Weight: approx. 1.3 kg (1 volume)
• Binding: leather binding with gold embossing
• Publisher: Verlag Müller und Schindler
• Accompanying commentary: booklet with sources and translations of inscriptions from the illustrations