Bilder Sebastian Munster (1488–1552) – The Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Tongues (Babylonia vnd Chaldea) – Woodcut (1544)

Beskrivning

This early woodcut depicts the construction of the Tower of Babel in the land of Shinar, as described in the Book of Genesis. The illustration shows a massive rectangular stone structure under construction, with laborers using ladders and buckets to transport mortar and building materials. In the foreground, a prominent figure in royal robes, representing King Nimrod, oversees the work and gestures toward the tower. The surrounding landscape includes rocky terrain and stylized clouds, rendered with the bold line work characteristic of 16th-century German woodcuts. 

Sebastian Munster was a German cartographer, cosmographer, and Christian Hebraist whose seminal work, Cosmographia, was the earliest German-language description of the world. First published in 1544, the Cosmographia became one of the most successful and popular books of the 16th century, undergoing numerous editions and translations. Munster’s work is celebrated for its integration of geographical data with historical narrative, biblical tradition, and ethnographic detail, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the known world during the Renaissance. His woodcut illustrations were instrumental in visualizing historical and mythological events for a broad European audience.

Artist or Maker: Sebastian Munster

Dimensions: Approximately 36 cm x 23 cm

Medium: Woodcut

Date: 1544

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.