Bidspirit auction | Pictavia (vulgo Poictiers). Colónia, c.

Pictavia (vulgo Poictiers). Colónia, c. 1598. - [POITIERS]. Pictavia (a.k.a. Poictiers). Georg BRAUN; Frans HOGENBERG (eds.). [Cologne, Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg, c. 1598]. Engraving; 425 × 535 mm (sheet). Three-part composition from the Civitates orbis terrarum . The upper register offers a wide panoramic view of Poitiers (with “Occidens / Septentrio” compass points), stretching along the River Clain with bridges, walls, and numerous church spires; the foreground shows cultivated fields and figures in local dress. Lower left, the celebrated dolmen “La pierre levée, ancien autel des Payens.” Lower right, “Prospectus Montis Henrici (called Montbernage), ” depicting the vineyard-covered hill topped by a fortified site. At centre the credit reads “Depinxit Georgius Houfnaglius, Iuvenis, Anno MDLXI (1561), ” noting Joris Hoefnagel’s drawing used for the plate. Verso printed in Latin under the heading PICTAVIVM (Poictiers) with historical and geographical text; pagination “18.”