Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Chariot racing in a Roman circus – Woodcut (1550)

Beskrivning

Das Ander Buch. This woodcut presents two separate scenes illustrating ancient Roman chariot racing within a circus arena. The left panel shows four charioteers driving teams of horses around a central obelisk, while the right panel depicts a similar race with figures engaged in athletic competition near architectural monuments. The simplified, expressive style of the figures and horses is characteristic of sixteenth century German printmaking. These illustrations are accompanied by a dense block of German text in Fraktur script, discussing the history and customs of ancient civilizations. This work is a significant historical 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This publication was the earliest German language description of the world and remained a fundamental geographical and historical reference for decades.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 history.

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.