Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Illustration of Fighting Scorpions and Serpents (Dragons) from the Cosmographia – Woodcut (c. 1550)

Beskrivning

This detailed woodcut, used as a frieze-like illustration, depicts two large, stylized scorpions or venomous serpents engaged in combat, intertwined with foliage. The image accompanies German text concerning the appearance and habits of various exotic creatures, including the legendary dragon, found in India and other remote regions. The print is characteristic of sixteenth century natural history illustration, which documented both real and mythological creatures for educational purposes.

Sebastian Münster was a highly influential German cosmographer, geographer, and Hebraist whose primary achievement was the publication of the Cosmographia, one of the first German-language encyclopedias describing the world. The work was immensely popular, providing readers with detailed woodcut illustrations of maps, city views, customs, and natural history, profoundly shaping European understanding of geography in the mid-sixteenth century.

Artist or Maker: Sebastian Münster

Dimensions: Approximately 36 cm x 23 cm

Medium: Woodcut

Date: c. 1550

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.