Czechia - Bohemia; Hartmann Schedel/ Wohlgemut/...

A spectacular, beautifully detailed original 15th-century woodcut view of Bohemia (Böhmen, Czech Republic) from the monumental Nuremberg Chronicle (1493). It perfectly captures the exceptional artistic quality and historical depth of one of the world's most famous incunabula illustrations. Original incunabulum leaf CCLXXXIII (283) from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel, the very first Latin edition from 1493. An incunabulum (cradle print) is a book printed in Europe before 1 January 1501, when the printing press was still in its infancy, and of which the text is set in movable type. They are now rarely seen on the market. The Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) by Hartmann Schedel is one of the most famous and best illustrated incunabula. The beautiful woodcuts were made by Michael Wohlgemut (1434/37-1519) and his stepson Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (1450-1494), a teacher of Albrecht Dürer. Dürer probably also contributed to the execution of many of the woodcuts for this incunabulum. The recto shows an imaginary view of Bohemia, with fortified towns, castles, church spires and winding waterways set among wooded hills and dramatic rocky outcrops, beneath Latin text. The verso contains Latin text without illustrations. This is not a facsimile edition, but an original leaf printed in the 15th century - so 533 years old! Rare in coloured version. Dimensions: 43,5 x 31 cm Good condition, few spots in white margin.

Estimate:£184.18

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