How a rare 1549 woodcut captured an aerial view of Cairo

The True Description of Cairo: A Sixteenth-Century Venetian View · 57:08 · Video: The Met · Watch at the source

In short: Discover the intricate details of a remarkable sixteenth-century Venetian woodcut. This video explores the imagery and historical context of a rare masterpiece depicting Cairo from above, offering a unique window into how the city was perceived in the mid-1500s.

This video examines a rare 1549 woodcut by Matteo Pagano, which provides an aerial perspective of Cairo. Only two impressions of this specific work are known to exist in the world.

Architect and historian Nicholas Warner analyzes the woodcut's imagery alongside its accompanying Latin text. By exploring the underlying narrative and historical context, the video reveals how this Venetian view shaped perceptions of the city during the sixteenth century.

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