Blanmont au pays de vauge en Loreyne

Title

Blanmont au pays de vauge en Loreyne

Description

The illustration depicts the commune of Blâmont (German: Blankenberg) in Lorraine, France, with a title cartouche and local people in the foreground. The reverse side features a description in Latin with an initial, p. 17. Painted by George Hoefnagle.

ca. 1595

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

Blâmont (German: Blankenberg) is located in the historic region of Lorraine. Blâmont originated in the Middle Ages as a fortified settlement and became the seat of a local lordship. Due to its location in Lorraine, the town was often influenced by shifting powers between France and the Holy Roman Empire. Over the centuries, Blâmont was affected by several wars, especially during conflicts over Lorraine. Despite this, it remained a regional center with a castle and a church.