Schafhusa. Lib. III. 447

Title

Schafhusa. Lib. III. 447

Description

The front features the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen and the coat of arms of the municipality of Schaffhausen. The back shows locals in a swimming baths.

ca. 1558

Artist

Münster (1489-1552)

Sebastian Münster (1489–1552) was a leading Renaissance cosmographer. His most famous work, the Cosmographia (1544), was a comprehensive description of the world with 24 maps, based on research dating back to 1528. Continuously revised, the 1550 edition already included many new maps. It was the first scientific yet accessible world description published in German, illustrated with numerous woodcuts by artists such as Hans Holbein the Younger. Between 1544 and 1650, the Cosmographia appeared in 46 editions (27 in German) and was translated into several languages. Münster’s work combined the knowledge of scholars, artists, and travelers and remained influential long after his death.

Historical Description

Schaffhausen originated in the early Middle Ages and developed in the 11th century around a Benedictine monastery. Due to its location on the Rhine, the city became an important trading center, as goods had to be unloaded there because of the nearby rapids. In 1501, Schaffhausen joined the Swiss Confederation. A landmark of the city is the Munot fortress, built in the 16th century, which served defensive purposes. Today, Schaffhausen is a well-preserved historic town and is known for its proximity to the Rhine Falls.