Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg
Copenhagen, 1590 c
14 x 16 in
36 x 41 cm
36 x 41 cm
SCAN2570
Hafnia vulgo Kopenhagen urbs Daniae Primaria Braun and Hogenberg's famous map of Copenhagen, also called Hafnia. One of the earliest available maps of the city. This map first appeared in...
Hafnia vulgo Kopenhagen urbs Daniae Primaria
Braun and Hogenberg's famous map of Copenhagen, also called Hafnia. One of the earliest available maps of the city.
This map first appeared in Volume IV of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, the first printed atlas dedicated solely to city maps. It was edited and compiled by Georg Braun and many of the maps were engraved by Frans Hogenberg, leading to a generic name of “Braun and Hogenberg” as authors even though many other individuals were involved in the production of the work, particularly in the later stages.
The first Volume was issued in 1572 and the final Volume (VI) was published in 1617. Braun was involved in all of the Volumes with the exception of the last.
This image of Copenhagen is the only image of the city in the atlas. It was issued in Volume IV. The first edition was published in 1588 although the map has an engraving date of 1577. Both images show Copenhagen, the upper from inland and the lower from the sea. The commentary on the reverse focuses on the wealth and trading might of the city.
The original source of the image is unknown but many of the other maps from Volume IV were supplied by Heinrich Rantzau, one of the powerful Rantzau family. As a scholar, he was keenly interested in the Civitates and frequently corresponded with Braun. He was also the governor of Schleswig Holstein on behalf of the Danish King and he would certainly have access to early paintings or maps of Copenhagen.
The first issue of this map bears a description of the city in Latin on the reverse. On this example the description is in French. The French edition is scarcer and is believed to have been published approximately two years later.
Image of reverse available on request. Coloured. [SCAN2570]
Braun and Hogenberg's famous map of Copenhagen, also called Hafnia. One of the earliest available maps of the city.
This map first appeared in Volume IV of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, the first printed atlas dedicated solely to city maps. It was edited and compiled by Georg Braun and many of the maps were engraved by Frans Hogenberg, leading to a generic name of “Braun and Hogenberg” as authors even though many other individuals were involved in the production of the work, particularly in the later stages.
The first Volume was issued in 1572 and the final Volume (VI) was published in 1617. Braun was involved in all of the Volumes with the exception of the last.
This image of Copenhagen is the only image of the city in the atlas. It was issued in Volume IV. The first edition was published in 1588 although the map has an engraving date of 1577. Both images show Copenhagen, the upper from inland and the lower from the sea. The commentary on the reverse focuses on the wealth and trading might of the city.
The original source of the image is unknown but many of the other maps from Volume IV were supplied by Heinrich Rantzau, one of the powerful Rantzau family. As a scholar, he was keenly interested in the Civitates and frequently corresponded with Braun. He was also the governor of Schleswig Holstein on behalf of the Danish King and he would certainly have access to early paintings or maps of Copenhagen.
The first issue of this map bears a description of the city in Latin on the reverse. On this example the description is in French. The French edition is scarcer and is believed to have been published approximately two years later.
Image of reverse available on request. Coloured. [SCAN2570]
