Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – View of the Beautiful and Noble City of Tours – Woodcut (Circa 1570)

Beskrivning

This sheet is an original double-page map and text spread, titled "Die Abconterfectur der Schönen und Edlen Statt Tours" (The Representation of the Beautiful and Noble City of Tours). The dominant feature is an elaborate bird's-eye view of Tours, France, depicting the city's streets, buildings, bridges, and the surrounding river and topography. The view is enclosed in a highly decorative Renaissance border featuring stylized male and female figures (possibly satyrs or gods) in the corners and along the sides. A legend below the view identifies key landmarks within the city. This detailed topographical map originates from a posthumous edition of Sebastian Münster’s renowned Cosmographia, the pivotal 16th-century compendium of world geography, which helped define the Renaissance understanding of European cities.

Sebastian Münster was a German cartographer, theologian, and cosmographer whose work provided a crucial geographical overview of the world in the Renaissance. His Cosmographia was one of the most successful books of the century, making complex geographical knowledge widely accessible.

Artist or Maker: Sebastian Münster

Dimensions: Approximately 35 × 44 cm

Medium: Woodcut

Date: Circa 1570

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.