Hartmann Schedel/ Wohlgemut/ Pleydenwurff/Dürer - The Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) - 1493

Original incunabulum woodcut leaf CXLVI (146) from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel, the 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 beautifully coloured woodcuts on the recto side show:
1. Rain of Blood and an Inundation. Fire is bursting from the clouds and blood is dropping from them.
Rocks are tossed about in the air.
2. Animals in Human Form, appearing in the river, are represented by a nude man and woman, with long hair.
3. Leonard, in the garb of a monk; open book in his right hand; lock and chain, his symbol as liberator of prisoners and slaves, in his left.
4. Saint Maurus.
5. Saint Columbanus
6. Berculanus
7. Simeon Stylites

On the verso side a lineage of pope is shown which includes: Pelagius, lohannes, Benedictus and lastly,
Pelagius the Second.

This is not a facsimile edition, but an original leaf printed in the 15th century - so 532 years old!
Rare in colored version.

Dimensions: 44 x 30,2 cm
Good condition, a few spots.

Attention for US buyers: Due to recent postal restrictions shipping to the US can only be done by DHL, therefore higher shipping costs apply!