"Gmunden", Braun & Hogenberg

Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum or "Cities of the World" was published between 1572 and 1617. Within the six volumes, 531 towns and cities were depicted on 363 plates, providing the reader with the pleasures of travel without the attendant discomforts. Braun wrote in the preface to the third book, "What could be more pleasant than, in one's own home far from all danger, to gaze in these books at the universal form of the earth . . . adorned with the splendor of cities and fortresses and, by looking at pictures and reading the texts accompanying them, to acquire knowledge which could scarcely be had but by long and difficult journeys?" Braun and Hogenberg incorporated an astonishing wealth of information into each scene beyond the city layout and important buildings. The plates provide an impression of the economy and prominent occupations, and illustrate local costumes, manners and customs.

This beautiful view depicts the city of Gmunden on Lake Traunsee. Schloss Ort, a castle built in the middle of the lake in the 10th century, is prominent near the center of the composition. Traunstein Mountain appears in the background. There is a decorative title cartouche at top, and a second cartouche in the bottom right corner that credits Georg Hoefnagel with the drawing (after an original by Lucas van Valckenborch). Latin text on verso, published by Jan Jansson circa 1657.

References: Fussel, p. 413; Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #1554.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with full contemporary color on a bright sheet with a small hole in the top margin and archivally repaired centerfold separations confined to the top and bottom blank margins.