Mid-16th century woodcut depicting various sea creatures and fantastical beasts

Mid-16th century woodcut depicting various sea creatures and fantastical beasts

Print by Sebastian Münster; woodcut by Hans Rudolf Manuel Deutsch, after a design by the Monogrammist M-F
Basel, Switzerland; 1550
Printed on laid paper

Approximate size: 12 x 15.5 in.

The present print, frequently dubbed ‘Münster’s Monsters,’ is from the 1550 published expansion of Sebastian Münster’s ‘Cosmographia,’ which served as one of the prime resources for geography during the mid-16th century. Originally a Franciscan Professor of Theology, Münster later converted to Protestantism and became one of the most successful geographers of the 16th century.

The sheet bears text in the upper margin reading: De regnis septenrion. Monstra marina & terrestria, quae palsim in partibus aquilonis inueniuntur or ‘Sea and land monsters found in the Northern parts of the kingdoms of the sea.’

The monsters, some factual, others fictitious, are based on imagery found in the 'Carta Marina' of 1539 by Olaus Magnus. The original designer of this print is unknown, identified only by the monogram: M-F, however, the woodcut was made by Hans Rudolf Manuel Deutsch, a frequent woodcutter active in Münster’s print shop.

Unframed and accompanied by a pre-cut matte (the print is hinge framed on the matte).

Condition: General browning and spotting to the paper, yet a strong impression with some chipping along the exterior margins and particularly the lower corners. The upper margin is trimmed short to the text. There is some staining to the upper right portion of the print and a restoration is applied to the reverse centerfold to reinforce the work.