Munster's famous woodblock illustrating sea monsters

MUNSTER, Sebastian.

Meerwunder und seltzame Thier wie die in den Mitnachtigen Landern im Meer.
Basle, Henri Petri, c.1560, German text edition. Coloured woodcut, image size 250 x 350mm.

Munster's fabulous woodcut of monsters of both land sea, with abundant tusks, horns and twin-spouts. One vignette shows a galleon trying to outrun one monster by throwing their cargo overboard.
The creatures are derived from the vary rare 'Carta Marina' by Olaus Magnus, published in 1539, which Ortelius also used for his map of Iceland in 1587.


Stock ID : 23339