c. 1570 – S. Münster – Riga

Title:                      Riga
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Description:

This is the earliest printed view of Riga, cut in wood for Sebastian Münster’s Cosmographia, the most widely read description of the world in the 16th century. Münster credited the view and his account of the city to his correspondent Johannes Leporicidae.

The walled Hanseatic city is seen across the Daugava (“Duna fl.”), with its long wooden quay, merchant ships and small boats. Labels name:

the castle of the Livonian Order (“Arx, Das Schlos”);
St James (“S. Iacob”);
the Cathedral (“Der Thum”);
the Town Hall (“Rathaus”);
St Peter (“S. Peter”).

The compass points “Septentrio”, “Oriens”, “Occidens” and “Meridies” mark the four corners. Above the city a banner carries the name “Riga” between two coats of arms: the crossed keys of the archbishopric and the city arms with towers and an open gate with a lion’s head.

The view shows Riga before the great fire of 1547, and it remained the standard image of the city for almost a century.

Cartographer/Artist:       Sebastian Münster (1488–1552)

Publisher:                           Heinrich Petri / Sebastian Henricpetri, Basel

Atlas:                                    Cosmographia (Cosmographey)
Frame size:                           29,5 x 23,5 cm
Year:                                       c. 1570
Technique:                            Woodcut

 

Condition:
Good. Clear, dark impression. The sheet is trimmed close to the borderline and separated from the text, with light toning. It is framed under a double cream mount in a wood frame, behind glass.

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This is an original antique map published circa 1570 and NOT a modern copy or reprint