Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Map of Africa – Woodcut (1544–1550)

Beskrivning

This illustration presents a topographical and historical map of the African continent, titled Africa mit seinen besondern Landern, Thieren, und wunderbarlichen Dingen, as featured in the first chapter of the sixth book of a monumental universal chronicle. The composition depicts the entire continent with major geographic landmarks, including the Nile River with its mythical sources in the Mountains of the Moon, the Red Sea, and various kingdoms such as Ethiopia and Nubia. The map is populated with small vignettes of towns, mountain ranges, and forests, providing a visual summary of the known world at the time. Below the woodcut, a block of German text in blackletter type introduces the continent as the third part of the world, discussing its relationship to Europe and Asia and its vast desert landscapes. This work served as a technical reference for readers to visualize global geography and regional history within the context of a comprehensive 16th-century encyclopedia.

Sebastian Münster was a renowned German cartographer, cosmographer, and Christian Hebraist whose most significant achievement was the publication of the Cosmographia. This work was the earliest German-language description of the world and went through numerous editions and translations, becoming one of the most popular books of the sixteenth century. Münster's synthesis of geographical, historical, and ethnographic information helped establish the foundations of modern cartography and regional geography in Europe. His use of woodcut illustrations and maps provided a visual standard for the depiction of distant lands and cultures during the Age of Discovery. His scholarship at the University of Basel significantly influenced the dissemination of humanistic knowledge across the continent.

Artist or Maker: Sebastian Münster .

Dimensions: Approximately 36 cm x 23 cm .

Medium: Woodcut.

Date: 1544–1550

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.