116 Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – View of Bordeaux – Woodcut from Cosmographia – 16th Century (c. 1550)
This panoramic bird’s-eye view of Bordeaux, titled BOVRDEAVX, presents the French city in a stylized urban plan typical of 16th-century cartographic illustration. Rendered in bold woodcut technique, the image shows the fortified medieval city bounded by riverside walls and dominated by labeled civic and religious landmarks. Detailed galleons are shown in the foreground port, reflecting the city's importance as a trading hub. This map appeared in the Cosmographia, the influential world chronicle compiled by German humanist Sebastian Münster, first published in 1544 and expanded in later decades.
Accompanied by explanatory keys and descriptive text in German, this double-page woodcut offers not only a geographical representation but also a Renaissance perspective on urban identity and European city structure. The framing border and ornate typographic style are typical features of Münster’s maps.
Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was one of the most important cosmographers of the 16th century. His Cosmographia was the first detailed, printed description of the world in the German language and became one of the most widely circulated books of the century, combining maps, city views, and ethnographic knowledge.
Artist or Maker: Sebastian Münster
Dimensions: 31 cm x 38.5 cm
Medium: Woodcut on laid paper
Date: c. 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.
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