Haarlem, a trade city whose favourable position on the coast is shown in a bird's-eye view from the southeast, was experiencing a great economic and demographic upturn at the time of the publication of this engraving, following the Agreement of Veere in 1577, when it was returned to the House of Orange. Around 1573 it had a population of 18,000, which by 1622 had risen to 40,000. Many Flemings came here to escape from the Spanish occupation and because of the flourishing textile industry. After a devastating fire laid by the Spanish had destroyed almost 500 buildings, the architect Lieven de Key planned much of the reconstruction work. The tulip trade also flourished in Haarlem in the 17th century. The three-nave Sint-Baafskerk with its wooden tower and the town hall can still be seen in the Grote Markt today. Here stands a bronze statue of Laurens Coster, who according to a local legend invented the art of book printing in 1423.

This engraving is made after a map by Jacob van Deventer. (Taschen)

COMMENTARY BY BRAUN: "The art of book printing is said to have been invented in Haarlem, as attested by various sources. But the first inventor of this art died before he had assembled all the things he needed for printing. His servant then travelled to Mainz and there began to practise the newly invented art."

Size: 34 x 47cm (13.3 x 18.3 inches)