Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Map of Magdeburg and Regional Coat of Arms – Woodcut (1544–1550)

Beskrivning

This woodcut presents a bird's-eye view of the fortified city of Magdeburg alongside its heraldic coat of arms, as featured in the third book of a monumental universal chronicle. The topographical scene illustrates the city situated along the banks of the Elbe River, highlighting its dense urban layout, gothic cathedrals, and substantial defensive walls and bastions. Below the primary city view, a smaller woodcut depicts the regional coat of arms featuring a female figure standing between two crenelated towers above an open gateway. A significant block of German text in blackletter type provides a historical account of the city, discussing its strategic importance, its relationship to the Holy Roman Empire, and its resilience through various historical conflicts. This work served as a technical reference for readers to visualize major European urban centers and their political identities 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.