Bidspirit auction | Amoeniss. castri Granatensis, vulgo Alhambrae

Amoeniss. castri Granatensis, vulgo Alhambrae dicti, ab Oriente prospectus — Granada (Alhambra). Colónia, c. 1598. - [GRANADA — ALHAMBRA]. Amoeniss. castri Granatensis, vulgo Alhambrae dicti, ab Oriente prospectus. Georg BRAUN; Frans HOGENBERG (eds.). [Cologne, Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg, c. 1598]. Engraving; 425 × 535 mm (sheet). Plate from the Civitates orbis terrarum showing a view of the Alhambra and Granada from the east . In the foreground, groups in Hispano-Moorish dress; beyond lie the city and the Vega of Granada , with the Sierra Nevada on the horizon. A large upper cartouche with an alphabetical key (A–Q) names, among others, the Generalife , Santa Helena and Santa Maria , the new and old Royal Palaces , the Castillo mayor , Granada , La Vega de Granada , the sierras of Alhama , part of the city wall , the road to Guadix , and costume types ( Morisco of Granada , wealthy Moorish lady , common Moorish woman ). The lower strip contains three vignettes : left, “Porta castri Granatensis semper clausa” (the castle gate always closed); centre, a mountainous landscape with reference to the Sierra Nevada ; right, an “Algibe” (cistern). The composition credits a drawing by Georg (Joris) Hoefnagel , 1564 . Verso printed in Latin headed AMOENISS. CASTRI GRANATENSIS, VULGO ALHAMBRAE DICTI, AB ORIENTE PROSPECTUS , with historical/topographical text; page “15.”