Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Von dem Teütschen Land – Original Leaf from Cosmographia Universalis – Woodcut and Letterpress (16th Century)

Beskrivning

This original 16th-century folio leaf is taken from Cosmographia Universalis, the influential geographical and ethnographic encyclopedia by Sebastian Münster. The page titled “Von dem Teütschen land” ("Of the German Land") presents a detailed description of the German territories, their customs, agriculture, and inhabitants, reflecting Renaissance humanist curiosity and cartographic ambition. The recto features a fine woodcut vignette depicting rural German life, with peasants, livestock, and village houses, while the text in Gothic type is arranged in two columns with printed marginalia. Verso continues with ethnographic content in German, typical of Münster’s effort to present Europe’s regions and peoples in accessible vernacular language. Cosmographia, first published in 1544 in Basel, was a monumental success, issued in numerous editions and languages, becoming the most widely read geography book of the 16th century.

Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was a German cartographer, cosmographer, and scholar. A former Franciscan monk turned Lutheran and professor of Hebrew, he taught at the University of Basel and published some of the most significant works of the early modern period. His Cosmographia was groundbreaking for its combination of maps, ethnography, and scientific observation, and it helped shape Europe’s understanding of the world during the Reformation.

Artist or Maker:
Sebastian Münster

Dimensions:
31 cm × 20.5 cm

Medium:
Letterpress with Woodcut Illustration

Date:
Mid-16th Century (likely c. 1550s)

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.