Subasta Bidspirit | gravura

gravura - [SAINTES]. Xaintes (a.k.a. Saintes). Georg BRAUN; Frans HOGENBERG (eds.). [Cologne, Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg, c. 1598]. Engraving; 425 × 535 mm (sheet). Panoramic bird’s-eye view from the Civitates orbis terrarum depicting Saintes (Saintonge) encircled by walls and towers along the River Charente , with bridges and small craft on the water. The regular street grid is precisely rendered and major churches and civic buildings are emphasised; suburban plots, gardens and vineyards appear beyond the enceinte. At the top sits the city coat of arms ; at lower left a French cartouche , and in the foreground two costumed figures add scale. Verso printed in Latin under the heading XANTES , with historical and geographical text; page number “17.”