Hand-Colored Map of Jerusalem – Cologne, 1576 – From the First German Edition of Civitates Orbis Terrarum

Hierosolyma urbs sancta, Iudaeae, totiusque Orientis longe clarissima, qua amplitudine ac magnificentia hoc nostro aevo conspicua. [Cologne: Aegidius Radeus, 1576].

Hand-colored engraving from the first German edition of the city atlas Civitates Orbis Terrarum by Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg (Beschreibung und Contrafactur der vornembsten Stät der Welt, Cologne, 1576; vol. II, plate 54).

Bird’s-eye view of Jerusalem from the east. While intended as a realistic depiction of the city in Braun’s time – unlike earlier imaginary reconstructions – the map retains several conventional inaccuracies. Notably, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is depicted from the south, despite the ostensibly eastern orientation.

A legend in the corner identifies 48 sites in and around Jerusalem. At top, a verse from Ezekiel is printed in Latin: "This is Jerusalem; in the midst of the nations I have placed it, and around it are lands".

In the foreground appear five figures in Eastern attire. As Braun explains in the preface to vol. I of the atlas, the inclusion of human figures was intended to deter Turkish military use of the atlas, as Islamic law forbade representations of the human form.

Engraved map: approx. 40X53 cm (printed on two joined sheets; German text on verso of one sheet: Jerusalem, plate 54). Overall good condition. Stains. Minor tears and marginal wear. Open tear to one corner, repaired with paper.

Laor 1040A.