Lubecca Urbis Imperialis...
by Elias Diebel.
Lübeck, 1552 (1574),
woodcut on 24 sheets, 74 x 338 cm.
British Library Maps R.17.c.10
This monstrous woodcut view of Lübeck in Northern Germany really knocked me out when I first unrolled it. It is one of the largest, most animated and powerful depictions of a city I think I've ever seen, and the image above really doesn't do justice to it. Observe below, from left to right. It goes on...
and on...
and on...
and on.
It is one of only two surviving examples of the giant view of Lübeck first produced in 1552 (the British Library's example dates from 1574). It was printed from 24 separate blocks of wood onto 24 sheets of paper which were then joined. It rather puts the de' Barbari map of Venice, which comprises a mere 6 (albeit far larger) sheets, firmly in the shade.
The monumental scale and effort was, of course, designed to impress. Lübeck was one of the world's busiest and most powerful cities, and it had been since the 14th century, when had been granted the status of Imperial Free City by the emperor. This made it autonomous, exempt from taxes and laws, able to do what it liked. It was the chief town of a massive trade organisation known as the Hanseatic League, which pretty much controlled trade in the Baltic and northern waters. Lübeck was their proud capital, the 'Queen of the Hanse.'
Lübeck is described by the BBC website as 'another picturesque little German town,' but in the 15th century it was one of the big urban centres. Imagine its modern equivalent as New York City (or Newport, Gwent), imagine a sixteenth century German Jay-Z waxing lyrical about it via the gift of song.
Yes, this print is Lübeck's 'look at me' moment, and what really gets me is its extraordinary verticality. The eye is caught by the movement of the water and foreground activities, it travels up through the winding streets, up through the complex verticals of the churches and on to the soaring spires, flags and pediments, flocks of birds swooping and screeching around them.
This is a lively city, bustling with the activities of trade. Ships depart to the Baltic sea in the extreme right, whilst tradesmen enter the city to the left. An old crone with a rosary narrowly avoids getting run over by one of their carts. Again, just like New York! Don't walk...
This is a view of amazing vitality, and had I the opportunity again, perhaps it would have been squeezed into the exhibition. All 3 metres of it.
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