117 Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Rhinoceros and Musk Deer – Woodcut from Cosmographia Universalis (16th century)
Original double-sided woodcut leaf from Cosmographia Universalis, depicting a fantastical rhinoceros on the recto and a musk deer ("Bisam-Thier") on the verso. These striking zoological illustrations reflect the Renaissance fascination with exotic animals and natural curiosities. The rhinoceros image is closely modeled after the famous 1515 woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, and this version includes the initials "DK", attributed to David Kandel, one of Münster’s principal illustrators. The leaf combines both natural history and poetic commentary in early modern German. Originally published in Basel, this is a specimen from one of the editions printed between 1550 and 1620.
Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was a cosmographer and professor of Hebrew who taught at Tübingen, Heidelberg, and Basel. He published the influential Geographia Universalis in 1540 and the landmark Cosmographia Universalis in 1544, the first German-language description of the world. The Cosmographia was widely reprinted and included hundreds of woodcuts and maps, shaping the geographical imagination of the Renaissance.
Artist or Maker:
Sebastian Münster, David Kandel
Dimensions:
32 cm x 21 cm
Medium:
Woodcut on paper
Date:
16th century
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.
| Estimate | 2,000 - 3,000 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 25% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 60 SEK |
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