Eger in Hungary by Braun and Hogenberg 1618
CAPTION: Agria, in German Erlau.
TRANSLATION OF CARTOUCHE TEXT: Heavily fortified stronghold in Upper Hungary, often attacked by the Turks and finally conquered and occupied under Mehmed III in 1597. It was procured by Georg Hoefnagel, who received it from another in 1617.
COMMENTARY BY BRAUN (on verso): "This city is called Agria in Latin, after the Agrianians, who lived long ago in Illyria behind the Triballi, then moved across the Danube and settled not far from the Tisza. [...] I think it would be closer to the truth if one said that it got its name from the little river on which it lies and bears the same name. But without any doubt, the fun can be made of those who claim that the name comes from the Latin word "ager" or "agrestis", which translated means "rustic", and this is because they are supposed to have once been rustic and uncouth people. As if the Latin language were so common among rustic and crude people, they would have given their towns Latin names!"
At the time of this plate, Eger was occupied by the Turks. The well-protected fortress is viewed from a hill opposite it in the southeast. The partly ruined town is shown on the left, with the Eger flowing past it, and the battle scene on the right illustrates the conflicts to which the city was repeatedly subject at the time. The round building (B) is a Balneum (bathhouse). Thermal baths flourished in the town, particularly during Turkish rule. In the 10th century, Hungary took possession of the area around Eger. An episcopal see since the beginning of the 11th century, the town prospered in the 15th century. After successfully resisting several attacks by the Ottoman armies, it fell to the Turks in 1596 and was not recaptured until 1687.
Braun G. & Hogenberg F. and the Civitates Orbis Terrarum.
The Civitates Orbis Terrarum, also known as the 'Braun & Hogenberg', is a six-volume town atlas and the most excellent book of town views and plans ever published: 363 engravings, sometimes beautifully coloured. It was one of the best-selling works in the last quarter of the 16th century. Georg Braun, a skilled writer, wrote the text accompanying the plans and views on the verso. Many plates were engraved after the original drawings of a professional artist, Joris Hoefnagel (1542-1600). The first volume was published in Latin in 1572 and the sixth in 1617. Frans Hogenberg, a talented engraver, created the tables for volumes I through IV, and Simon van den Neuwel made those for volumes V and VI. Other contributors were cartographers Daniel Freese and Heinrich Rantzau, who provided valuable geographical information. Works by Jacob van Deventer, Sebastian Münster, and Johannes Stumpf were also used as references. Translations appeared in German and French, making the atlas accessible to a wider audience.
Since its original publication of volume 1 in 1572, the Civitates Orbis Terrarum has left an indelible mark on the history of cartography. The first volume was followed by seven more editions in 1575, 1577, 1582, 1588, 1593, 1599, and 1612. Vol.2, initially released in 1575, saw subsequent editions in 1597 and 1612. The subsequent volumes, each a treasure trove of historical insights, graced the world in 1581, 1588, 1593, 1599, and 1606. The German translation of the first volume, a testament to its widespread appeal, debuted in 1574, followed by the French edition in 1575.
Several printers were involved: Theodor Graminaeus, Heinrich von Aich, Gottfried von Kempen, Johannis Sinniger, Bertram Buchholtz, and Peter von Brachel, all of whom worked in Cologne.
Georg Braun (1541-1622)
Georg Braun, the author of the text accompanying the plans and views in the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, was born in Cologne in 1541. After his studies in Cologne, he entered the Jesuit Order as a novice, indicating his commitment to learning and intellectual pursuits. In 1561, he obtained his bachelor's degree; in 1562, he received his Magister Artium, further demonstrating his academic achievements. Although he left the Jesuit Order, he continued his studies in theology, gaining a licentiate in theology. His theological background likely influenced the content and tone of the text in the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, adding a unique perspective to the work.
Frans Hogenberg (1535-1590)
Frans Hogenberg was a Flemish and German painter, engraver, and mapmaker. He was born in Mechelen as the son of Nicolaas Hogenberg.
By the end of the 1560s, Frans Hogenberg was employed upon Abraham Ortelius's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, published in 1570; he is named an engraver of numerous maps. In 1568, he was banned from Antwerp by the Duke of Alva and travelled to London, where he stayed a few years before emigrating to Cologne. He immediately embarked on his two most important works, the Civitates, published in 1572 and the Geschichtsblätter, which appeared in several series from 1569 until about 1587.
Thanks to large-scale projects like the Geschichtsblätter and the Civitates, Hogenberg's social circumstances improved with each passing year. He died as a wealthy man in Cologne in 1590.
Agria vulgo Erla.
Item Number: 29703 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Central Europe
Antique bird's-eye view of Eger in Hungary by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg, after Georg Hoefnagel, 1617.
Key to four locations.
Title: Agria vulgo Erla.
Communicavit Georgius Houfnaglius acceptum ab alio A° 1617.
Date of the first edition: 1617.
Date of this map: 1618.
Date on map: 1617.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Map size: 325 x 455mm (12.8 x 17.91 inches).
Sheet size: 395 x 535mm (15.55 x 21.06 inches).
Verso: Latin text.
Condition: Original coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A+.
From: Civitates Orbis Terrarum. Theatri praecipuarum Totius Mundi Urbium Liber Sextus Anno MDCXVIII. Cologne, Anton Heirat, 1617-18. (Van der Krogt 4, 41:1.6)
CAPTION: Agria, in German Erlau.
TRANSLATION OF CARTOUCHE TEXT: Heavily fortified stronghold in Upper Hungary, often attacked by the Turks and finally conquered and occupied under Mehmed III in 1597. It was procured by Georg Hoefnagel, who received it from another in 1617.
COMMENTARY BY BRAUN (on verso): "This city is called Agria in Latin, after the Agrianians, who lived long ago in Illyria behind the Triballi, then moved across the Danube and settled not far from the Tisza. [...] I think it would be closer to the truth if one said that it got its name from the little river on which it lies and bears the same name. But without any doubt, the fun can be made of those who claim that the name comes from the Latin word "ager" or "agrestis", which translated means "rustic", and this is because they are supposed to have once been rustic and uncouth people. As if the Latin language were so common among rustic and crude people, they would have given their towns Latin names!"
At the time of this plate, Eger was occupied by the Turks. The well-protected fortress is viewed from a hill opposite it in the southeast. The partly ruined town is shown on the left, with the Eger flowing past it, and the battle scene on the right illustrates the conflicts to which the city was repeatedly subject at the time. The round building (B) is a Balneum (bathhouse). Thermal baths flourished in the town, particularly during Turkish rule. In the 10th century, Hungary took possession of the area around Eger. An episcopal see since the beginning of the 11th century, the town prospered in the 15th century. After successfully resisting several attacks by the Ottoman armies, it fell to the Turks in 1596 and was not recaptured until 1687.
Braun G. & Hogenberg F. and the Civitates Orbis Terrarum.
The Civitates Orbis Terrarum, also known as the 'Braun & Hogenberg', is a six-volume town atlas and the most excellent book of town views and plans ever published: 363 engravings, sometimes beautifully coloured. It was one of the best-selling works in the last quarter of the 16th century. Georg Braun, a skilled writer, wrote the text accompanying the plans and views on the verso. Many plates were engraved after the original drawings of a professional artist, Joris Hoefnagel (1542-1600). The first volume was published in Latin in 1572 and the sixth in 1617. Frans Hogenberg, a talented engraver, created the tables for volumes I through IV, and Simon van den Neuwel made those for volumes V and VI. Other contributors were cartographers Daniel Freese and Heinrich Rantzau, who provided valuable geographical information. Works by Jacob van Deventer, Sebastian Münster, and Johannes Stumpf were also used as references. Translations appeared in German and French, making the atlas accessible to a wider audience.
Since its original publication of volume 1 in 1572, the Civitates Orbis Terrarum has left an indelible mark on the history of cartography. The first volume was followed by seven more editions in 1575, 1577, 1582, 1588, 1593, 1599, and 1612. Vol.2, initially released in 1575, saw subsequent editions in 1597 and 1612. The subsequent volumes, each a treasure trove of historical insights, graced the world in 1581, 1588, 1593, 1599, and 1606. The German translation of the first volume, a testament to its widespread appeal, debuted in 1574, followed by the French edition in 1575.
Several printers were involved: Theodor Graminaeus, Heinrich von Aich, Gottfried von Kempen, Johannis Sinniger, Bertram Buchholtz, and Peter von Brachel, all of whom worked in Cologne.
Georg Braun (1541-1622)
Georg Braun, the author of the text accompanying the plans and views in the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, was born in Cologne in 1541. After his studies in Cologne, he entered the Jesuit Order as a novice, indicating his commitment to learning and intellectual pursuits. In 1561, he obtained his bachelor's degree; in 1562, he received his Magister Artium, further demonstrating his academic achievements. Although he left the Jesuit Order, he continued his studies in theology, gaining a licentiate in theology. His theological background likely influenced the content and tone of the text in the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, adding a unique perspective to the work.
Frans Hogenberg (1535-1590)
Frans Hogenberg was a Flemish and German painter, engraver, and mapmaker. He was born in Mechelen as the son of Nicolaas Hogenberg.
By the end of the 1560s, Frans Hogenberg was employed upon Abraham Ortelius's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, published in 1570; he is named an engraver of numerous maps. In 1568, he was banned from Antwerp by the Duke of Alva and travelled to London, where he stayed a few years before emigrating to Cologne. He immediately embarked on his two most important works, the Civitates, published in 1572 and the Geschichtsblätter, which appeared in several series from 1569 until about 1587.
Thanks to large-scale projects like the Geschichtsblätter and the Civitates, Hogenberg's social circumstances improved with each passing year. He died as a wealthy man in Cologne in 1590.