Fantasy map of Europe as a Queen from Bunting's Itinerarium

BÜNTING, Heinrich.

Europa Prima Pars Terrae in Forma Virginis.
Magdeburg, c.1581-, Latin edition. Coloured woodcut, printed area 300 x 370mm.

The famous fantasy map depicting Europe as a queen, with Iberia her head and crown; Denmark her right arm; Italy her left arm with Sicily an orb in her hand; Greece, the Balkans and Russia her skirts; and Bohemia a medallion on a chain around her neck.

The map appears in Bünting's Itinerarium, in which the author, a theologian, rewrote the Bible as a travel book. With other fantasy maps including the World as a cloverleaf and Asia as Pegasus, the winged horse of Perseus. A very fine example.


Stock ID : 21923