Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Map of Hamburg and Scene of Duel – Woodcut (1544–1550)

Beskrivning

This woodcut presents a topographical view of the port city of Hamburg alongside a narrative scene of a duel, as featured in the third book of a monumental universal chronicle. The upper illustration depicts the city skyline from the water, highlighting numerous church spires and maritime vessels navigating the Elbe River, with a decorative scroll bearing the name Hamburg. Below this view, a second woodcut illustrates two men in contemporary sixteenth-century attire engaged in a formal duel with longswords. A significant block of German text in blackletter type accompanies the images, providing a historical account of the city and describing local customs or legendary events associated with the region. This work served as a technical reference for readers to visualize major European commerce centers and regional social history 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.