Bidspirit auction | Rostochium urbs Vandalica Anseatica et

Rostochium urbs Vandalica Anseatica et Megapolitana. Colónia, c. 1598. - [ROSTOCK]. Rostochium urbs Vandalica Anseatica et Megapolitana. Georg BRAUN; Frans HOGENBERG (eds.). [Cologne, Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg, c. 1598]. Engraving; 425 × 535 mm (sheet). Panoramic view of the Hanseatic city of Rostock taken from the opposite bank of the river Warnow (Varina fluvius), with the dense line of houses, Gothic churches and municipal towers silhouetted in the background; the large parish churches and the Rathaus complex are particularly prominent. The river is animated by numerous sailing vessels and rowing boats, suggesting the intense maritime traffic of the city. In the foreground, along the bank, ten figures in local costume represent different social types (peasants, burghers, magistrates, clergy and women of various conditions). In the sky, three armorial shields identify the city and its membership of the Hanseatic League. Text printed on the verso in Latin under the heading TOPOGRAPHIA VRBIS ROSTOCHII DESCRIPTIO D. PETRI LINDEBERGII, with an extensive historical and economic description of Rostock accompanied by Latin poems by the same author; pagination “47”, from volume V of the Civitates orbis terrarum.