Panoramic view of Vienna, Austria

Panoramic view of Vienna, Austria. Before 1574, from the Cosmographie of Sébastien Munster. Woodcut. Two joined pages form the complete panoramic view. Size of the two joined leaves: 31.1 x 81 cm. Subject size: 22.5 x 78.3 cm. Two old restorations and a central fold on each of the two pages, not affecting the overall quality of this view. Within the engraving is found the date the woodblock was cut: 1548. The woodcut is signed by two engravers: Hans Rudolf Manuel Deutsch - HRMD - whose initials, followed by a dagger, indicate his dual status as artist and mercenary. Heinrich Holzmüller - HH - whose initials are followed by an engraver's stylus. This is a piece of dimensions quite rare for the period, produced by renowned engravers, and for a work of great historical significance. Its composition is adorned with banderoles and decorative ribbons of very fine quality. Note that in the Cosmographie, only some ten cities were given a double-page panoramic representation.