Map of ancient Mantua by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg

The bird's-eye view of Mantua, taken from Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg's atlas Civitates Orbis Terrarum, offers a detailed representation of the city situated in the middle of a lake, with a plain and the Alps in the background. Mantua, founded by the Etruscans in the 6th century BC, has a long history marked by various rulers during the migration period. From 1328 to 1708, it was governed by the Gonzaga family, whose main residence, the Palazzo Ducale, is clearly visible in the engraving near the Ponte di San Giorgio. An important cultural symbol of the city is the Camera degli Sposi, adorned with frescoes by Andrea Mantegna, a great Renaissance artist.

The Civitates Orbis Terrarum is considered the largest and most important atlas of city plans and views of the 16th century, begun in 1572 as a complement to Abraham Ortelius' atlas. Curated by Georg Braun and primarily engraved by Frans Hogenberg, it includes over 546 views of cities from all over the known world at the time, created by more than 100 artists and topographers. This monumental work offers an extraordinary testimony to urban life at the end of the 16th century, with often unique or very rare views, ranging from large capitals to small villages.

Unique quality material

Print on handmade Amalfi paper
Sheet size: 40 x 30 cm
With frame: 43 x 33 cm
Material: work printed on very high quality handmade Amalfi paper with frayed edges
Frame: Light brown, handmade from beech wood and wood pulp