Original antique map consisting of the left hand sheet of a two part panorama of Cracow. Unfortunately the second right hand sheet is missing.
An unusual prospect of Cracow (Krakow), less common than most of the other plans in the 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum' because it only appeared in the sixth and last volume and its size and the fact that it was folded predicated against it surviving in good condition. In this instance, only the left hand sheet has survived. It shows the city from the west, with the neighbouring towns of Kazimierz & Kleparz. Their names are given on banners in the sky alongside their armorials. It is possible that the scene in the foreground represents the entry of the Polish king accompanied by knights and ecclesiastical dignitaries. The banderole celebrating Cracow as the royal residence would seem to confirm this, though this was inaccurate as Kracow had been replaced as the capital by Warsaw in 1596.
The date of publication was c.1617.
The Civitates Orbis Terrarum, also known as the 'Braun & Hogenberg', is a six-volume town atlas of town views and plans comprising of 363 engravings, sometimes hand coloured. It was one of the best-selling works in the last quarter of the 16th century. Georg Braun, a skilled writer, wrote the text accompanying the plans and views on the verso. Many plates were engraved after the original drawings of a professional artist, Joris Hoefnagel (1542-1600). The first volume was published in Latin in 1572 and the sixth in 1617. Other cartographers also contributed and translations appeared in German and French, making the atlas accessible to a broader audience.
Since its original publication of volume 1 in 1572, the Civitates Orbis Terrarum has left an indelible mark on the history of cartography.
Georg Braun, the author of the text accompanying the plans and views in the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, was born in Cologne in 1541. After his studies in Cologne, he entered the Jesuit Order as a novice, indicating his commitment to learning and intellectual pursuits. In 1561, he obtained his bachelor's degree; in 1562, he received his Magister Artium, further demonstrating his academic achievements. Although he left the Jesuit Order, he continued his studies in theology, gaining a licentiate in theology. His theological background likely influenced the content and tone of the text in the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, adding a unique perspective to the work.
Frans Hogenberg was a Flemish and German painter, engraver, and mapmaker. He was born in Mechelen as the son of Nicolaas Hogenberg.
By the end of the 1560s, Frans Hogenberg was employed upon Abraham Ortelius's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, published in 1570; he is named an engraver of numerous maps. In 1568, he was banned from Antwerp by the Duke of Alva and travelled to London, where he stayed a few years before emigrating to Cologne. He immediately embarked on his two most important works, the Civitates, published in 1572 and the Geschichtsblätter, which appeared in several series from 1569 until about 1587.
