Leaf from a Colored Copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle.

Leaf from a Colored Copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle.

"A leaf from a colored copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the great picture book of the 15th century. Written first in Latin by Hartmann Schedel, and tranlated into German six months later, this work was a history of the world from the Creation to 1493. By actual count the Chronicle contains 1,809 Woodcuts. Many of the cuts were used over and over again to depict different personages and cities so that there are really only 645 separate subjects. The artists who so successfully completed this amazing number of woodcuts were Wohlgemuth and his step-son, Pleydenwurff. The book was financed by various citizens of Nuremberg who wished to show what a superb work could be achieved by their master printer, Anton Koberger.

The charm of the Nuremberg Chronicle lies in the fact that it gives an actual glimpse into the daily life of the people of this city five centuries ago. This was done unconsciously as far as the artists were concerned; at that period people conceived great personages of the past as dressing as they did themselves and living under conditions similar to their own.

At the time the book was published, potential purchasers were informed that the work could be obtained "unbound and uncolored for two Rhenish florins; bound and colored for six." Needless to say, most buyers chose the less expensive form, and today one seldom encounters colored copies.

This leaf is from the FIRST EDITION , which was written in Latin and printed in summer of 1493."

Schedel, Hartmann.

Printed by Anton Koberger.

1493

Single leaf, 17 3/4 inches by 12 3/4 inches.

lat