Bidspirit auction | Catana urbs Siciliae clarissima patria

Catana urbs Siciliae clarissima patria Sctae Agathae virginis et mart. Colónia, c. 1600. - [CATANIA]. Catana urbs Siciliae clarissima patria Sctae Agathae virginis et mart. Georg BRAUN; Frans HOGENBERG (eds.). [Cologne, Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg, c. 1600]. Engraving; 425 × 535 mm (sheet). View of the fortified city of Catania taken from the sea, with the harbour and city walls in the foreground and Mount Etna towering monumentally in the background, in eruption. The urban fabric appears densely built, with churches, convents, amphitheatre and other principal buildings numbered and identified in the extensive legend along the lower margin. At top, a large banner title and two coats of arms: at left, arms of the city; at right, episcopal coat of arms. On the sea, several ships and galleys emphasize the commercial and strategic role of the port. Verso printed in Latin under the heading CATANA , with a long historical and topographical description of the city, paged “69”, belonging to the city atlas Civitates orbis terrarum . The composition, one of the most celebrated Renaissance views of Catania, forms part of the Civitates orbis terrarum , the vast city atlas directed by Georg Braun and engraved mainly by Frans Hogenberg, the first edition of the view of Catania appearing at the end of the 16th century. The image underlines the city’s dual identity — Mediterranean port and town dominated by the volcano — and explicitly states its status as the birthplace of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr.