Bilder Sebastian Munster (1488–1552) – Panoramic View of the City of Cusco in Peru – Woodcut (1544)

Beskrivning

This early woodcut presents a panoramic view of the city of Cusco, described in the title as the most noble city in the land of Peru. The illustration depicts the city's organized urban grid, featuring rows of stone buildings and central plazas enclosed within a perimeter wall. In the background, rolling hills and a winding river define the Andean landscape, while a large, multi-tiered complex on the left represents a primary temple or administrative site. The foreground shows a valley with scattered trees and several figures, including a horseman.

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 civilizations and historical events for a broad European audience, making his work a cornerstone of early modern geographical knowledge.

Artist or Maker: Sebastian Munster

Dimensions: Approximately 36 cm x 42 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.