121 Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – Hand-Coloured Woodcut – Wild Pigeon / De Livia Columba – Cosmographia (16th Century)
This hand-coloured woodcut of a wild pigeon (De Livia Columba) comes from Sebastian Münster’s celebrated Cosmographia, one of the most important illustrated encyclopedias of the 16th century. The illustration is attributed to David Kandel, whose woodcuts are renowned for their clarity and distinctive stylization. The Latin text provides a detailed early modern description of the pigeon’s characteristics, habitats, and symbolic meaning, integrating classical zoology with contemporary natural history. This edition of Cosmographia was printed in Basel and features one of the earliest scientific attempts to systematically document animal life through both text and image.
Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was a cosmographer and professor of Hebrew who taught in Tübingen, Heidelberg, and Basel. He is best known for Cosmographia universalis, first published in 1544 and reprinted more than 35 times by 1628. The work was the first detailed description of the world in the German language and contained 471 woodcuts and 26 maps. Münster collaborated with numerous engravers, including David Kandel, to produce zoological and botanical illustrations that shaped Renaissance scientific imagery.
Artist or Maker:
Sebastian Münster, David Kandel
Dimensions:
32 cm x 21 cm
Medium:
Hand-coloured woodcut on laid 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.
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