[World Map]: Typus cosmographicus universalis.

MÜNSTER, Sebastian ((1488-1552)/?Hans HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER (1497-1543)

Beschreibung

Large woodcut world map (16 x 22 in.; 36.5 x 65 cm) on an oval projection, printed on two sheets joined, two large panels of inset type, some major place names also inset. BINDING/CONDITION: Loosely laid on sturdy card, enclosed in mylar. (65B1A) Published in "Novus orbis regionum," an important collection of voyages compiled by Johann Huttich and edited by Simon Grynaeus with a geographical preface by Sebastian Münster, this richly decorated map-probably by Münster-is surrounded by masterful vignettes attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger. The map shows a view of the New World, but it was already superannuated at the time of publication. Shirley notes: "Geographically the map.was probably prepared prior to 1532 based partly on the world configuration depicted in the Schöner globes, or on Apian's map of 1520.The projection follows the oval one of Bordone, with two cherubs energetically turning crank handles at the north and south poles." The map's elaborate border decorations are attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger, who was in Basel at the time, designing a number of decorations for Münster and others. The borders are enhanced with real and imaginary depictions of hunting scenes and feasting cannibals, winged serpents, elephants, mermaids and sea monsters, chiefly derived from popular, but largely fictitious, travel accounts of the era-notably Amerigo Vespucci's Mundus Novus (1503). The vignette labeled "Vartomanusi" in the lower right corner, refers to the explorations of Southeast Asia by the Bolognese adventurer Ludovico di Varthema (1470-1517). Varthema was famously the first Christian known to have visited Mecca, and from 1502 to 1507, he extensively explored India, Indochina and the Indonesian archipelago. The account of his travels, "Itinerario de Ludovico de Varthema Bolognese" (Rome, 1510), was one of the most captivating of the early period of global exploration. The vignette in the upper right corner depicts the spices that were the focus of trade to the East Indies. PROVENANCE: Sotheby's London, 10 May 2011, lot 90 REFERENCES: cf. Shirley, The Mapping of the World, 67. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 65ERM0054

Bibliografische Details

Titel: [World Map]: Typus cosmographicus ...

Einband: No Binding

Zustand: Good