Frans Hogenberg (ca. 1540-ca. 1590) was a Flemish and German engraver and mapmaker who also painted. He was born in Mechelen, south of Antwerp, the son of wood engraver and etcher Nicolas Hogenberg. Together with his father, brother (Remigius), uncle, and cousins, Frans was one member of a prominent artistic family in the Netherlands.
During the 1550s, Frans worked in Antwerp with the famous mapmaker Abraham Ortelius. There, he engraved the maps for Ortelius’ groundbreaking first atlas, published in Antwerp in 1570, along with Johannes van Deotecum and Ambrosius and Ferdinand Arsenius. It is suspected he engraved the title page as well. Later, Ortelius supported Hogenberg with information for a different project, the Civitates orbis terrarium (edited by Georg Braun, engraved by Hogenberg, published in six volumes, Cologne, 1572-1617). Hogenberg engraved the majority of the work’s 546 prospects and views.
It is possible that Frans spent some time in England while fleeing from religious persecution, but he was living and working in Cologne by 1580. That is the city where he died around 1590. In addition to his maps, he is known for his historical allegories and portraits. His brother, Remigius, also went on to some fame as an engraver, and he died around the same time as his brother.
Fine pair of views of the cities of Nové Zámky, Slovakia and Visegrád, Hungary, from Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum. These are among the earliest printed views of each of the two cities.
![Praga, Bohemiae Metropolis Accuratissime Expressa [with] Egra urbs a Flumio . . .](/map/small/53971.jpg)
Finely colored example of this striking view of Prague and of Egra, from Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum.. Prague is shown dissected by the River, including three bridges and various watercraft in the river. One of the earliest and most...
A fine early view of Riga, first published by Braun and Hogenberg in 1581. This is one of the earliest obtainable views of the city and was heavily based on Munster's slightly earlier map of the city. This map appeared in Braun and Hogenberg's...
A fine early view of Ancona in the Marche region of Italy, published by Braun & Hogenberg in their monumental 6 volume Civitatus Orbis Terrarum.
![Genua Ligurum domina . . . [and] Florentia urbs est Insignis Hetruariae, olim Fluentia dicta . . . (Genoa & Florence)](/map/small/67437.jpg)
Beautiful Original Hand-Color view of Florence and Genoa A fine example of this pair of birdseye views of "Genua" and "Firenze." The details on these views is extensive, and the work is attractively produced. Additional text describes both cities and...
The city of Tivoli, shown from Mount Tiburtini, with an inset of the famous cascading waterfalls. In the foreground, illustrations of 3 climbers include Hoefnagel and Abraham Ortelius, who visited the town and studied it in 1578, as noted in the...
Striking town plan of Caiazzo from Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum, first issued in 1597. Caiazzo is a city in the province of Caserta (Campania) in Italy. It is located on the right bank of the Volturnus, northeast of Capua. The...
Exceptionally fine old color example of one of Braun & Hogenberg's views of Rome, from an early edition of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum. Striking bird's-eye plan of Rome showing the city as it was circa 1550. Included are...
Striking example of Braun & Hogenberg's view of Venice, one of the most highly sought after 16th Century views of the City. Includes a key with over 150 placenames. Important early view of Venice, from Braun & Hogenberge's Civitatus Orbis...
Fine early birdseye view of the Trento in Italy. From Braun & Hogenberg's Civitatus Orbis Terrarum, the most important book of town plans and views published in the 16th Century. The bird's-eye plan shows Trento on the Adige with its surrounding...
Old color example of Braun & Hogenberg's views of Urbino and Sulmona. This view of Urbino has been reduced to two views. The upper view is from the Southwest and shows the Palazzo Ducale built into the slope. Directly behind it appears the tower...
Fine example of the Braun & Hogenberg Plan of Rome, first published in the 1588 edition of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum. Braun & Hogenberg's view is based upon the work of Pirro. However, the title banner and lower key embellishments are...
Decorative birdseye view of Velletri from Braun & Hogenberg's Civitatus Orbis Terrarum. Fine view from the northwest of Velletri and the hills around Coru. On the right the Pontine marshes (D) can be seen, and in the distance Capo Circeo (A) and...
![Burgos celebris et antiqua Hispaniae civiatas, quae Auca, Bravum, Masburgi, Liconiturgis habet [with] Sanct. Sebastianum vulgo Donostien ad mare Oceanum insigne regni Guipuzcoa oppidum](/map/small/60695.jpg)
Nice example of Braun & Hogenberg's views of San Sebastian and Burgos, from Braun & Hogenberg's Civitatus Orbis Terrarum, the most important book of town plans and views published in the 16th Century. The foreground shows various city...
Finely colored example of Braun & Hogenberg's view of Granada, from Braun & Hogenberg's Civitatus Orbis Terrarum, the most important book of town plans and views published in the 16th Century. Fine early view of the Spanish city of Granada as...
Old color example of Braun & Hogenberg's view of Antiquera, from Braun & Hogenberg's Civitatus Orbis Terrarum, the most important book of town plans and views published in the 16th Century. A fine view of Antequera, with the Sierra de los...
