Sebastian Münster (1489–1552) - Cosmographia Universalis - Vino carro con botte e Nozze di Barbarossa - 1550

This original sheet is a precious Renaissance page drawn from the 1550 Latin edition of Sebastian Münster's Cosmographia universalis, printed in Basel by the publisher Heinrich Petri and part of Liber III dedicated to Germany. The text and the accompanying woodcut trace the historical and ecclesiastical chronicles of the city of Würzburg under the chapter De memorabilibus factis, quae apud Wirceburgum sunt gesta (Chapter 392). The narrative retraces the city’s alternating fortunes from the founding of its episcopate in 751 by Pippin the Short and Boniface, documenting important medieval events such as the solemn imperial marriage celebrated in the city in 1156 between Frederick Barbarossa and Beatrice of Burgundy (Nuptiae regiae). The page also describes the establishment of the public gymnasium in 1402 (Gymnasium Vuirceburg.), the harsh territorial and military disputes involving Margrave Albert and the fortified city of Ochsenfurt, and the difficult financial relations with the Teutonic Knights. The visual composition is enriched by a woodcut illustrating a ceremonial public dance (Choreas ducentes), introduced to commemorate the historic reconciliation and sworn peace in 1290 between King Adolf of Nassau, Bishop Mangold, and the citizens of Würzburg, an event annually celebrated with festivities and urban dances. Dimensions 30 x 20 cm. It will be shipped by courier.