Bilder Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Map of Prague – Czech Republic – Woodcut (1574)

Beskrivning

"Praga" depicts a panoramic view of the city of Prague, featuring the Vltava River and the prominent fortification of Prague Castle on the hill. The city is identified by a large decorative banner containing the date 1574, and the page includes the coat of arms of Bohemia featuring a crowned lion. This work is a woodcut from a later German edition of the Cosmographia, published by the heirs of Sebastian Münster in Basel. The text describes the division of the city into the Old Town, New Town, and Lesser Town, providing historical context for one of the major political and cultural centers of the Holy Roman Empire.

Sebastian Münster was a German cartographer and a professor at the University of Basel who became the most influential cosmographer of the sixteenth century. He was a distinguished scholar of Hebrew and mathematics whose work bridged the gap between medieval tradition and Renaissance science. His major work, the Cosmographia, was the first systematic description of the world in the German language and underwent numerous expanded editions after his death. Münster is celebrated for his collaborative approach to data collection, which involved corresponding with scholars across Europe to ensure topographical accuracy. His legacy remains centered on the massive popularity and encyclopedic influence of his geographical publications.

Artist or Maker:
Sebastian Münster.

Dimensions:
Approximately 36 cm x 25 cm.

Medium:
Woodcut.

Date:
1574.

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.