Bidspirit auction | Elegantissimus ad mare Tyrrhenum ex

Elegantissimus ad mare Tyrrhenum ex Monte Pausilipo Neapolis montisque Vesuvii prospectus. Colónia, c. 1598. - [NAPLES]. Elegantissimus ad mare Tyrrhenum ex Monte Pausilipo Neapolis montisque Vesuvii prospectus. Georg BRAUN; Frans HOGENBERG (eds.), after a drawing by Georgius Hoefnagel. [Cologne, Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg, c. 1598]. Engraving; 425 × 535 mm (sheet). Famous view of Naples taken from Mount Posillipo, with the gulf and Vesuvius in eruption at centre, towns and villages scattered along the slopes and numerous vessels on the sea; in the foreground, to the left, the opening of a grotto with small buildings and various figures, including travellers on horseback and on foot, and to the right a shepherd with his flock. Indications of cardinal points (“Oriens”, “Occidens”) and numeric cartouche at lower right identifying the principal buildings and geographical features. Verso printed with extensive descriptive text in Latin under the same title, paged “56”, forming part of volume V of the Civitates orbis terrarum . The original drawing of this view was made by the Flemish artist Georg Hoefnagel during his journey to Campania in 1577–1578, and is one of the most celebrated panoramas of Naples from the late 16th century. Included in the monumental Civitates orbis terrarum of Braun and Hogenberg, the first major atlas devoted exclusively to city views, this image fixed in lasting form the iconography of Naples seen from the west, with smoking Vesuvius dominating the horizon.