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

Original incunabulum leaf XIXX 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.

This beautiful illustrated leaf shows engravings of two significant Old Testament stories. The first image shows Moses removing his shoes before approaching God in the form of the Burning Bush. The second engraving depicts the tragic moment when brothers Nadab and Abihu are consumed by fire as a censer releases holy flames upon them. God, Moses, Nadab, Abihu, and other characters are dressed in Western medieval attire, complete with flowing robes and period-appropriate headgear.

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

Dimensions: 45 x 33 cm

Good condition, brown spot in white margin.