Bidspirit auction | Comorra. Colónia, c. 1598.

Comorra. Colónia, c. 1598. - [KOMÁRNO]. Comorra. Communicavit G. HOUF. Ao 1595, depicta a filio. Georg BRAUN; Frans HOGENBERG (eds.). [Cologne, Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg, c. 1598]. Engraving; 425 × 535 mm (sheet). Sheet with two views of the fortress-town of Komárno (Comorra) on the Danube, on the present-day border between Slovakia and Hungary. In the upper half, panorama of the town and fortress seen across the river: at left, the bastioned complex of Comorra, with walls and bastions on the riverbank; in the background, the town and market (“Die Marckt”) on the opposite bank; the Danube, animated by galleys and military vessels, occupies the centre of the composition, and in the foreground two officers observe the scene. In the lower half, perspective view of the powerful star-shaped citadel built on an islet between the two branches of the Danube (“Comorra”), surrounded by water and connected to the banks by bridges; the curtain walls, bastions and outer works are clearly distinguishable, as well as the houses within the walls. The banks are labelled “Hungaria superior”, “Hungaria inferior”, “Danubius Fluvius” and “Ostends / Schut”. Verso printed in Latin under the heading COMARA , with a long historical and military description of the place as an important “ arx et propugnaculum ” in the defence of the Hungarian domains against the Turks, paged “55”, forming part of volume V of the Civitates orbis terrarum .