BRAUN, Georg and Frans HOGENBERG.

Published in the first volume of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum (Cities of the World) - the first systematic depiction of cities ever undertaken. It was primarily produced to complement Ortelius' contemporary atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World). This monumental 6-volume compilation was one of the best-selling works of the late 16th-century, completed over 45 years between 1572 and 1617.

This wonderful engraving of Cologne is a 'birds-eye', rendering the city in tremendous detail. Important public and religious buildings, streets, individual houses and gardens and public spaces are all engraved with tremendous skill and precision. Cultivated fields beyond the city walls feature, together with a wealthy merchant, his wife and 2 daughters in the lower left corner. The map is further embellished with attractive and tasteful decoration, including 3 cartouches containing important historical notes, and two shields of the city of Cologne and that of the Imperial Banner.