Hartmann Schedel/ Wohlgemut/ Pleydenwurff/Dürer - The...

Original incunabulum woodcut leaf LXXXIII (83) from the Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel, first German edition of 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 six hand-coloured woodcut groups depicting twelve Roman consuls, accompanied by German text recounting Roman military history, including the Punic and Macedonian wars. The verso depicts eight hand-coloured woodcut portraits of Syrian kings and Jewish high priests and rulers, including Alexander, Demetrius, Antiochus, Tryphon, John Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, beneath the heading “Das fünft alter” (“The Fifth Age”). 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 x 29,5 cm Good condition, a light spot and some light signs of use.

Estimate:£126.76

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