144 Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – She-Wolf of Rome (Lupa Capitolina) – Woodcut from Cosmographia – c. 1550
This woodcut illustration shows the legendary Lupa Capitolina, the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, founders of ancient Rome according to Roman mythology. The dramatic stylization emphasizes the muscular form of the wolf and the vulnerability of the twin infants beneath her. The image is set within a page of dense blackletter text in German and is numbered “266” at the top. It was published in one of the 16th-century editions of Cosmographia by Sebastian Münster, the most influential Renaissance encyclopedia of geography, natural history, and ancient lore.
The drawing is attributed to David Kandel, a prominent German woodcut artist whose contributions to Münster’s work included illustrations of flora, fauna, cities, and classical antiquity. His clear, sculptural style brought visual coherence to the encyclopedic content of the Cosmographia.
Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was a humanist scholar, theologian, and geographer based in Basel. His Cosmographia was the first detailed world description printed in German and one of the most widely read books of its time, merging cartography with cultural history and natural science.
Artist or Maker: David Kandel (illustrator), Sebastian Münster (author)
Dimensions: 31 cm x 20 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.
| Estimate | 400 - 600 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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