Puteoli / Baiae

Cologne: Braun & Hogenberg, 1575. unbound. View. Uncolored copper engraving. Image measures 11.5" x 19.25".<br/><br/> These two bird's-eye views, Pozzuoli (Puteoli) above and Baia (Baiae) below, are together on one sheet. They show both cities as located on the Gulf of Naples. The numerous ships around Pozzuoli reference its history as an important Roman port, while in the view of Baia, the remains of an ancient Roman thermal bath alludes to the city's prized springs. Small figures gesture animatedly while tending to the tasks of daily life on the Italian coast. The print is from Braun's city atlas "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", a collection of city views and plans created as a companion to Ortelius' "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" and published between 1572 and 1617. Latin text on verso. It is in very good condition with some wear, particularly to the edges of the print. Ink stain near the upper right corner as printed. Georg Braun (1541-1622) was a Catholic cleric who edited the "Civitates orbis terrarum," a collection of 546 prospects, bird's-eye views and maps of international cities. Hogenberg created the tables for the first 4 volumes. Together, these two geographers created a work that set new standard for cartography for the next century. These views demonstrate the high quality of their work.<br/><br/>