164 Theatrum Urbium / Ulm.

Title

164 Theatrum Urbium / Ulm.

Description

General view of the city of Ulm in Baden- Württemberg with title loop, in the foreground figural staffage and rafts on the Danube.

ca. 1595

Artist

Romanus

Historical Description

Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and traditions as a former Free Imperial City. At first, Ulm's significance was due to the privilege of a Königspfalz, a place of accommodation for the medieval German kings and emperors on their frequent travels. Later, Ulm became a city of traders and craftsmen. One of the most important legal documents of the city, an agreement between the Ulm patricians and the trade guilds (German: Großer Schwörbrief- in the Schwoerhouse), dates from 1397. This document, considered an early city constitution, and the beginning of the construction of an enormous church (Ulm Minster, 1377), financed by the inhabitants of Ulm themselves rather than by the church, demonstrate the assertiveness of Ulm's mediaeval citizens. Ulm blossomed during the 15th and 16th centuries, mostly due to the export of high-quality textiles. The city was situated at the crossroads of important trade routes extending to Italy. These centuries, during which many important buildings were erected, also represented the zenith of art in Ulm, especially for painters and sculptors like Hans Multscher and Jörg Syrlin the Elder.