Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Map of Algiers and Portrait of Hayreddin Barbarossa – Woodcut (1544–1550)

Beskrivning

This woodcut presents a bird's-eye view of the fortified city of Algiers alongside a portrait of the Ottoman privateer and naval commander Hayreddin Barbarossa, as featured in the sixth book of a monumental universal chronicle. The topographical scene depicts the Mediterranean city nestled against a mountainous backdrop, highlighting its defensive walls, harbor, and the central lighthouse tower. In the upper register, a portrait shows Barbarossa with a long, flowing beard wearing an ornate crown and feathered headdress. A substantial block of German text in blackletter type accompanies the illustrations, detailing the history of the pirate commander, his rise to power in North Africa, and the military campaigns led by Emperor Charles V against the Regency of Algiers. This work served as a technical reference for readers to visualize significant geopolitical figures and strategic coastal strongholds during the sixteenth century.

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.