"Hispalis vulgo Sevilliae urbis toto orbe seleberrimae primareae effigies Hispaniae que"
Original antique panoramic map by Mattias Merian, published in Frankfurt in 1650.
"A primary image of Hispalis, commonly called the city of Seville, most celebrated throughout the whole world, and of Spain". Hispalis was the ancient Roman name for Seville.
It appeared in works such as Neuwe Archontologia Cosmica by Johann Ludwig Gottfried and captures Seville at the peak of its prominence as a global trade hub for the Spanish Empire.
The detailed bird's-eye view (a trademark of Merian's style), includes several iconic landmarks such as the Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) and Torre del Plata (Silver Tower) and the Puente de Triana, shown in its older form as a pontoon bridge. The Guadalquivir River is shown, bustling with 17th-century sailing ships.
The two coats of arms represent Spain and the city of Seville.
Matthäus Merian was born in Switzerland but eventually settled in Frankfurt. He was trained as an engraver and he married into the publishing family of De Bry who were highly influential publishers of travel and other illustrated books. In 1623 Merian took control of the business, taking it to new heights. He continued to publish editions of Theodore de Bry's Grand Voyages and Petits Voyages, first issued in 1590, but Merian was also famous for his “Topographia”, a multi-volume series describing the regions of Germany, richly illustrated with town plans and views, as well as maps, and his small folio world atlases, containing maps and views of all parts of the world.
