Orleans. Bourges.

Title

Orleans. Bourges.

Description

Decorative map shows the city of Orléans at the top and the city of Bourges below, both in France, featuring figurative elements such as women doing laundry, shepherds and distinguished citizens, as well as a index from 1 to 15. The reverse side bears a Latin description and two initials, p. 10.

ca. 1575

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

Centre (today called Centre-Val de Loire) is a historical region in the center of France along the Loire River. It consists of several departments, including Loiret, Indre-et-Loire, and Cher, and is especially known for its numerous castles. In the Middle Ages, the region played an important role in French history. The city of Orléans became famous during the Hundred Years’ War. In 1429, the French national heroine Joan of Arc succeeded in freeing the city from the English siege. During the Renaissance, the Loire Valley became a center of culture and royal power. French kings built many magnificent castles there, including the famous Château de Chambord. Because of this, the region is often called the “Garden of France.” Today, Centre-Val de Loire is particularly known for its historic cities, its castles, and the cultural landscape of the Loire Valley.