Sø- og landmonstre 1548 - 1549

Hans Rudolf Manuel Deutsch's "Sø- og landmonstre" (Sea and Land Monsters) is a detailed woodcut from 1548-1549 depicting a menagerie of fantastical creatures. The piece is divided into two panels; the top features a stylized landscape with various mythical animals, while the lower panel focuses on a diverse array of sea monsters, with detailed depictions of their forms and characteristics. The artwork's detailed representations of these creatures, often described with an air of scientific accuracy, were popular in the Renaissance as they reflected the period's fascination with the natural world. This woodcut exemplifies the German Renaissance's artistic style, characterized by its intricate detail and focus on realism. "Sø- og landmonstre" is housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst and continues to captivate viewers with its playful exploration of the unknown.