Johann Schöffer - Hand-coloured Woodcut - Illustration from Livy’s Romische historie - 1514

Antique hand-coloured woodcut by Johann Schöffer , originates from Livy’s”Romische historie..meniglich kürtzweilich und dienstlich zu lessen" , published and translated in Mainz by Bernhard Schöfferlin and Ivo Wittig, in 1514.

The Römische Historie was first published in Mainz in 1505 by Johann Schöffer and reissued in 1507 in Strasbourg by Johann Grüninger. This third edition was the last to include the original woodcut illustrations. The printer Johann Schöffer (c. 1475-1531) was the son of Peter Schöffer (c. 1425-c. 1503), Gutenberg’s apprentice and successor. The translation is a collaborative effort: Parts I and II were translated by Bernhard Schöfferlin (c. 1436-1501), while Part III was completed by Ivo Wittig (1455-1507). The first Latin edition of Livy’s History of Rome was printed in Rome as early as 1469 by Konrad Sweynheym and Arnold Pannartz; however, no German translation appeared during the fifteenth century. The preface by Johann Schöffer (on the title’s verso) is an early account of Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the movable-type printing press, and the subsequent improvements by Johann Fust and Peter Schöffer, for which the city of Mainz ‘should be praised and lauded not only throughout the German nation, but also throughout the world’ (transl.).

The large number of woodcut illustrations, many reused multiple times, serves as a ‘treasure trove of German cultural history from the Middle Ages: costumes, buildings, castles, churches, city views, landscapes, and ships’ (Reiniger, p. 16, transl.). Predominantly half-page, with some larger examples, these images were created from either single wood blocks or combinations of two blocks, allowing for diverse arrangements. The only full-page illustration, found after the title page, depicts Schöfferlin presenting his book to the dedicatee, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519), enthroned and surrounded by the seven prince-electors. The anonymous creator of these illustrations is known as the ‘Master of the Woodcuts of the Mainz Livy’, although scholars suggest that several artists may have been involved.

Dimensions:
21 cm x 19 cm

Artist or Maker:
Johann Schöffer

Medium:
Woodcut

Date:
1514

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.

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The Certificate of Authenticity is included.