Maastricht TRAILCTVM AD MORAM

BRAUN,G. / HOGENBERG, F. - Traiectum ad Mosam. [Maastricht] Cologne, ca. 1581. 350x415mm. Several restorations and reinforced on verso. Paper age toned. Nevertheless a decorative piece of history.

A birds-eye view of Maastricht seen from the south. Rising on Vrijthof square is the dominant complex of Sint-Servaas, in front of which - seen here in a distorted perspective - is the church of Sint-Jan.

The title 'Traiectum ad Mosam' means 'crossing over the Meuse', giving Maastricht its Dutch name. In 1579, two years before publication, the city was sacked and looted by the Spanish under General Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, and was held until 1632.

COMMENTARY BY BRAUN: "Turning proudly to our age, our founder and the name of our patron saint, we must point out that we were founded around the year 78 BC and that we owe our origins to Julius Caesar and our name [Lat. Traiectum ad Mosam, "Meuse crossing"] to the fact that the River Meuse can be crossed here [...] and that we also owe much to St Servatus, the first to hold the office of bishop in this city." Van der Krogt 4, 2534. Taschen, Braun and Hogenberg - p.223 (Ref.: 47901)

Plus verwerkings- en verzendkosten.