Map of Jerusalem – Engraving – Cologne, 1575

Map of Jerusalem – Engraving – Cologne, 1575
Hierosolyma, Urbs Sancta, Iudeae, Totiusque Orientis Longe Clarissima. Map of Jerusalem. Engraving from the Atlas "Civitates Orbis Terrarum" by Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg. [Cologne, 1575]. Latin.
On the map, which was, most probably, drawn after the Venetian artist Domenico dale Greche who visited Jerusalem in 1546, Jerusalem is seen from the east, from the Mount of Olives. On the bottom left corner of the map appears the title and on the lower right corner appear names of 48 significant sites, with their numbers marked on the map. On top is a verse from the book of Ezekiel, chapter 5 (in Latin): "This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her".
Five Muslim figures are seen in the foreground of the map. Many maps in "Civitates Orbis Terarrum" include figures in local dress. As stated in Georg Braun's introduction to the first part, this was meant to prevent the Turks from obtaining military secrets from the atlas, "as their religion forbids them from looking at representations of the human form".
Laor 1040.
Leaf: approx. 50.5X38 cm. Attached to passé-par-tout at top margin and framed, 56X47 cm. Good condition. Dark paper. Two small holes. Some small tears at margins of leaf. Two strips of adhesive tape at the top, above the map. The vertical folding mark and one corner are reinforced with pieces of paper pasted on the back. The left margin of the leaf is trimmed (slightly affecting the text printed on the back).
Provenance: Collection of the Jerusalem Foundation founded by Teddy Kollek.
The proceeds from the sale of this item will go to the Jerusalem Foundation and will be allocated for supporting projects in Jerusalem.