119 Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) – View of Ancient Jerusalem (Warhafftige Abcontrafectung der heiligen und hohen Statt Altar) – Woodcut from Cosmographia – 16th Century (c. 1550)
This richly detailed double-page woodcut presents a bird’s-eye reconstruction of ancient Jerusalem, as imagined in the Renaissance. Centered on the Temple Mount, the city is enclosed by walls and teeming with labeled landmarks, streets, and religious structures. The surrounding hills are labeled with biblical names, and the rivers Kidron and Siloe are clearly depicted. The accompanying German text elaborates on the historical and scriptural significance of the city.
The title above the image translates as: True depiction of the holy and high city of Altar [Jerusalem]. This print was included in Cosmographia, Sebastian Münster’s encyclopedic chronicle of the known world, which merged topography, theology, history, and early humanist scholarship.
Sebastian Münster was a cartographer, Hebraist, and theologian who revolutionized Renaissance geography through his fusion of visual and textual information. The Cosmographia was first published in 1544 and became one of the most widely circulated books of the 16th century.
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.
| Estimate | 400 - 600 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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