Rotomagus. / Nemausum. / Burdegala. (Rouen, Nimes, Bordeaux)

Title

Rotomagus. / Nemausum. / Burdegala. (Rouen, Nimes, Bordeaux)

Description

Three bird’s-eye views on a single sheet, depicting the cities of Rouen in Normandy, Nimes in Occitania, and Bordeaux in Gironde. Verso with a description of each city in Latin. Page 9.

ca. 1572

Artist

Braun/Hogenberg Franz/ Georg (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

Rouen (Normandy, France) is one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in northern France, situated on the River Seine. Originally a Roman settlement known as Rotomagus, Rouen became the capital of the Duchy of Normandy in the 10th century. During the Middle Ages, it developed into a prosperous centre of trade, particularly in textiles and maritime commerce. During the Hundred Years’ War, Rouen fell under English control. In 1431, Joan of Arc was tried and executed in the city, making Rouen an important site in French history. The city is renowned for its magnificent Gothic cathedral, medieval half-timbered houses, and historic churches. Rouen Cathedral was famously depicted in a series of paintings by Claude Monet.