Braun & Hogenberg, [Mexico City, Mexico & Cusco, Peru]

BRAUN, Georg (1541-1622) & HOGENBERG, Frans (1535-1590).
[Mexico City, Mexico & Cusco, Peru]
Mexico, Regia et Celebris Hispaniae Novae Civitas...[With] Cusco, Regni Peru in Novo Orbe Caput.
Engraved map with original hand color.
From Civitas Orbis Terrarum, Cologne, c. 1588.
16" x 21 1/8" sheet.

An attractive example of Braun & Hogenberg's views of Mexico City and Cusco, among the earliest printed views of any American city. Published in Bruan and Hogenberg's monumental city atlas, Civitates Orbis Terrarum, these are the only two American views to be included.

The Mexico City view shows it on the still undrained Lake Tenochtitlan, connected by many walkways to the mainland. In the background, European-style shrubbery gives way to high mountains.

In contrast to the Mexican view, Cuzco is presented as an orderly city with a great palace at the outside. Each view includes indigenous scenes at the front of the image.