S. Audomarie Fanum S. Ausmer. Omer. lJecius portus Abrahamo Orttelio, Artesij urbs muniitissima.

Title

S. Audomarie Fanum S. Ausmer. Omer. lJecius portus Abrahamo Orttelio, Artesij urbs muniitissima.

Description

Detailed map of Saint-Omer in Pas-de-Calais, France, featuring a coat of arms, a title cartouche and an index numbered 1–19. The reverse side bears a Latin description and an initial, p. 8.

ca. 1580

Artist

Braun/Hogenberg (1572-1618)

Frans Hogenberg (1535 – 1590) was a Flemish and German painter, engraver, and mapmaker. Hogenberg was born in Mechelen as the son of Nicolaas Hogenberg In 1568 he was banned from Antwerp by the Duke of Alva. He travelled to London, where he stayed a few years before emigrating to Cologne. He is known for portraits and topographical views as well as historical allegories. He also produced scenes of contemporary historical events. George Braun (1541-1622), a cleric of Cologne, was the principal editor of the "Civitates Orbis Terrarum". The first volume of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum was published in Cologne in 1572. The sixth and the final volume appeared in 1617. This great city atlas, edited by Georg Braun and largely engraved by Franz Hogenberg, eventually contained 546 prospects, bird-eye views and map views of cities from all over the world. Braun (1541-1622), a cleric of Cologne, was the principal editor of the work, and was greatly assisted in his project by the close, and continued interest of Abraham Ortelius, whose Theatrum Orbis Terrarum of 1570 was, as a systematic and comprehensive collection of maps of uniform style, the first true atlas.

Historical Description

Saint-Omer originated in the early Middle Ages around a monastery and developed into an important religious and cultural center. Due to its location in Flanders, the city was long contested between France, Burgundy, and the Spanish Netherlands. In the 17th century, Saint-Omer finally became part of France and was fortified. The city remained an important center of trade and education and is today known for its historic old town and the surrounding marshes and canal landscapes.