Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Panoramic view of the city of Plauen – Woodcut (1550)

Beskrivning

Plawen der Haupestat Narisciae wahre Abcontrafactur. This print presents a detailed panoramic view of the German city of Plauen situated along the Elster River. The composition illustrates the late medieval urban landscape, including the city walls, the castle, and prominent church towers, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and smaller outlying settlements like Neundorf. A decorative wreath at the top center contains the city coat of arms, while cardinal directions are indicated in Latin. Below the image, a detailed key in German provides a historical and topographic guide to the landmarks within the city. The work is an important geographic plate from the Cosmographia, published in Basel by Heinrich Petri, which served as the most influential German description of the world during the mid sixteenth century.

Sebastian Münster was a German cartographer, cosmographer, and scholar who held a professorship at the University of Basel. He is best known for the Cosmographia, a monumental encyclopedia that combined geographical maps with historical, ethnographic, and topographic data. Münster was a key figure in the transition from medieval to modern cartography, emphasizing empirical observation and gathering firsthand reports from a network of correspondents across Europe. His work was published in numerous editions and languages, making it a foundational text for the study of global geography and Renaissance cityscapes.

Artist or Maker: Sebastian Münster.

Dimensions: Approximately 36 cm x 43 cm.

Medium: Woodcut .

Date: 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.