Arena Martis in Belgio. Qua Provinciae X. Catholicae Inferioris Germaniae cum vicinis Episcopatibus Coloniensi et ...

Arena Martis in Belgio. Qua Provinciae X. Catholicae Inferioris Germaniae cum vicinis Episcopatibus Coloniensi et Leodiensi, aliisque finitimis Regionibus novissime proponuntur a Io.Baptista Homanno. Map of the reformation era of the Catholic Church. Belgium, Luxembourg and the Catholic regions of Germany.
Norimbergae. Germany. 16th (?) century. Hand-painted. Size 59.5 x 49 cm. Small tears at the edges and folds.

A striking early map of a part of the Low countries bounded on the East by the rivers Rhine and Moselle. Decorative cartouche and inset view of the city of Luttich with two lions guarding the city. A sparse early map of the Homan region.

Johann Baptist Homann (1663-1724) was a cartographer who founded the famous publishing company Homann Heirs. He lived all his life in Bavaria, especially in Nuremberg. Initially, Johann trained to become a priest before switching to Protestantism and working as a notary.

In 1702, Johann founded a publishing house specializing in engravings. The firm flourished, becoming a leading map publisher in Germany and an important organization in the European map market. In 1715, Johann was appointed geographer of the Holy Roman Empire by Charles VI and became a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences. Most importantly for his business, his reputation and contacts gave him the privileges of the Imperial press, which protected his publications and recommended him to his clients. Johann is best known for this Grosser Atlas Ueber die Ganze Welt , or the Great Atlas of the world , published in 1716.

After Johann's death in 1724, the business passed to his son Christoph (1703-1730). After Christoph's early death, the company passed to subsequent heirs, the name of the company changed to Homann Erben or Homann Heirs. The firm continued its operations until 1848. scarlet