Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – View of Italy – Woodcut (1550)

Beskrivning

Italie Beschreibung nach aller seiner Gelegenheit. This woodcut presents a geographical map of the Italian peninsula and its surrounding islands, including Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. The composition illustrates the distinctive boot shape of the Italian landmass, featuring major cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples, along with the central Apennine mountain range. The surrounding seas are labeled Mare Adriaticum and Mare Tyrrhenum, with stylized sailing vessels depicted in the waters. To the left and right of the map, dense blocks of German text in Fraktur script provide a historical and descriptive account of the region under the heading Italie Beschreibung. This work is a significant geographical 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 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.