Rare hand coloured copper engraving, depicting Utrecht from an elevated bird’s-eye perspective, with the fortified medieval city enclosed by walls, towers and defensive waterways.
The cathedral of St Martin (Domkerk) and its prominent tower dominate the urban skyline, while the surrounding countryside, roads and waterways extend beyond the city. The view provides an unusually detailed representation of Utrecht during the later 16th century, when it was an important ecclesiastical and political centre of the northern Netherlands.
The Latin title translates as “Utrecht is a famous and ancient episcopal city.” The accompanying text describes the city’s origins and its position on the old Rhine, together with its moats, fortifications, churches and collegiate institutions. Particular prominence is given to St Martin’s Cathedral and to the wealth and influence of the Bishop of Utrecht.
This first state is identified by the lack of privilege which was added in later states, at lower right.
From: Braun & Hogenberg, Civitates orbis terrarum. Cologne
Following the original publication of Volume 1 of the Civitates in 1572, seven further editions of 1575, 1577, 1582, 1588, 1593, 1599 and 1612 can be identified. Vol.2, first issued in 1575, was followed by further editions in 1597 and in 1612. The next volumes appeared in 1581, 1588, 1593, 1599 and 1606. The German translation of the first volume appeared from 1574 on, and the French edition from 1575 on.
References:
Kroght, P. Koeman’s Atlantes Neerlandici. Amsterdam 1997. Nine volumes. : VI-2 4539
Fauser, Alois, Repertorium älterer Topographie. Druckgraphik von 1486 bis 1750. Weisbaden, 1978: 14516
Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 3417308
Library of Congress Washington D.C.: G1028 .B7 1612
British Library London: C.29.e.1
