Bilder Sebastian Munster (1488–1552) – Map of the Region of Moscow (Moscowia) – Woodcut (1544)

Beskrivning

This early woodcut map provides a geographical representation of the region surrounding Moscow, historical territory of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. The illustration depicts a landscape filled with stylized trees and forests, interspersed with small architectural symbols representing towns and settlements. Major river systems, including the Volga and the Don, are recorded alongside regional identifiers such as Tartaria and Solofki. The top of the woodcut features mountains and the sea, while the bottom section is filled with German text in blackletter script. 

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 and ethnographic detail, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the known world during the Renaissance. His woodcut illustrations were instrumental in visualizing distant lands and historical events for a broad European audience, establishing him as a primary source of geographical knowledge in the Enlightenment era.

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.