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Cosmographia Universale
Major collection: Hart Nautical
Named collection: Allan Forbes Collection
Object type: woodcut
Maker: Birckman, Arnold
Place made: Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne
Date made: 1575
Materials: ink; laid paper
Measurements: 12 in x 8 in
Nomenclature: decorative
Classification: whales
AF-DI-0681
Named collection: Allan Forbes Collection
Object type: woodcut
Maker: Birckman, Arnold
Place made: Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne
Date made: 1575
Materials: ink; laid paper
Measurements: 12 in x 8 in
Nomenclature: decorative
Classification: whales
Page from the book "Cosmographia Universale" with woodcut showing a ship sailing by a shore with land animals atop it, and whales in the water; the sun, moon, and an image of a bearded man in a bishoplike hat above (reminiscent of imagery of the Garden of Eden, where the center was usually occupied by a vast light representing God). In the border, angels at the top corners, and human-animal chimaeras, possibly demons, at lower corners. The text, in Italian, begins with a woodblock letter H imitating hand illuminated letters; there is a cherub, whose lower parts have been rubbed away, presumably in an effort to censor his genitals. Page 1; verso 2.
AF-DI-0681