BRAUN GEORG-HOGENBERG FRANZ
Weinmar - Winmaria, Fertiliss. Thuringiae Urbs Praestantissima vulgo Weinmar
Date: Cologne,1572 - 1616
Weimar
Cod 9825
Subject: Weimar
400,00 €
Copperplate engraving, 350x475 mm, charming coeval coloring. Based on "Civitates Orbis Terrarum," a milestone of Vedutism, printed from 1572 to 1617 in 6 volumes published in different years in various languages, compiled and written by Georg Braun, while Frans Hogenberg was author of the engravings together with Simon Novellanus, generally from subjects by Hoefnagel. Very good specimen with some defects of the time and skillful professional restorations. "This bird's-eye view from the west shows the green city of Weimar in its landscape setting, nestled among fertile fields and meadows along the Ilm. Beside the river toward the top of the image is the original ducal residence. Hornstein Castle, to the right of which Duke John Wilhelm built the palace with its gardens. Inside the town can be seen the late Gothic Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, now known as Herderkirche after the theologian and philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder, who worked here as a court preacher from 1776 to 1801. In the 14th century (1342-1346), struggles for control of Thuringia led to Weimar becoming a fief of the Wettin dynasty. In 1410 Weimar obtained its charter; in 1424 the city had to be rebuilt after a devastating fire. In 1552 Duke John Frederick the Magnanimous made it the capital of the Duchy of Saxony-Weimar." (Taschen). As Georg Braun describes on the verso of the Latin text panel, "In 1299 and 1404, terrible fires severely damaged Weimar. This misfortune caused extensive damage, but later the city was rebuilt and embellished with splendid buildings that today enhance its fame and beauty. These include the imposing palace of the Dukes of Saxony [...], with its very pleasant and well-designed gardens with delightful herbs and fruit trees."
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