Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – View of the Eifel region – Woodcut (1550)

Beskrivning

Von der Eyfel. This print presents a detailed regional map of the Eifel territory in western Germany, situated between the Rhine, Moselle, and Ahr rivers. The composition illustrates the rugged topography of the area, featuring numerous fortified towns, castles, and monasteries such as Bonn, Andernach, and the Abbey of Maria Laach. The Rhine and Moselle rivers are depicted with their characteristic winding paths, and significant wooded areas are represented by clusters of stylized trees. Above the map, the German title Von dem Teutschen Landt and chapter headings are provided in Fraktur script. This work is a significant geographic plate from the Cosmographia, published in Basel by Heinrich Petri. This publication was the earliest German language description of the world and remained a fundamental geographical reference for decades.

Sebastian Münster was a German cartographer, cosmographer, and Christian Hebraist who served as a professor at the University of Basel. He is best known for his monumental work, the Cosmographia, which combined geographical maps with historical accounts and detailed regional views based on reports from local correspondents. Münster was a central figure in the development of Renaissance cartography, moving away from purely theological maps toward more empirical and observational representations of the world. His work was highly influential due to its use of high quality woodcut illustrations and its broad accessibility in multiple languages, significantly shaping the European understanding of global and regional geography.

Artist or Maker: Sebastian Münster.

Dimensions: Approximately 36 cm x 21 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.