Hartmann Schedel / Michael Wolgemut/ Wilhelm Pleydenwurff - The Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) - 1493

Original incunabulum leaf CLXXXVII (187) from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel, the 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 woodcut on the recto side shows an extensive genealogy tree which extends from Liudolf; Duke of Saxony to Saint Henry the Emperor, with Kunigunde descending from Charles the Great. During the reign of Charles the Great, who fought to convert the Saxons to Christianity, Liudolf governed Saxony and brought back Saint Innocent's remains from Rome. His eldest son, Bruno, drowned while fighting the Danes, passing the duchy to Otto the Second's son. Henry the Humble, Liudolf's grandson, had a daughter named Baba, mother of Count Albrecht of Babenberg, and a son named Henry. Henry the Humble was crowned after the death of Conrad and Emperor Louis, who had executed Albrecht. Henry married Matilda, and they had two sons, Otto the Great and Henry

On the verso side three beautiful illustrations are portrayed:
1. The Dancers in the Graveyard. Four couples are promenading arm in arm in a graveyard. This woodcut shows
'Medieval music with fife and drums'.
2. Willigis, archbishop of Mainz.
3. Gisela, a very noble virgin.

This is not a facsimile edition, but an original leaf printed in the 15th century - so 531 years old!
Rare in coloured version.

Dimensions: 41,5 x 28 cm.

Good condition, upper white margin with old restoration and added paper-stroke. Old crease in lower white margin.