Original incunabulum woodcut leaf CVIII (108) from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel, the German 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 of folio CVIII on the recto side illustrate: 1. Saint Luke is depicted as a monk, indicating his religious devotion and scholarly life. He is seated at an easel, actively painting a portrait of the Virgin Mary and Child, which aligns with the tradition that he was an artist who painted the Virgin Mary. A winged one is also portrayed which symbolises sacrifice and service, looks out at the viewer with its forefeet over a ledge. 2. The Assumption of Mary Magdalene is depicted where Mount Pilon is shown, above which Mary Magdalene is being lifted by four angels. She is in a posture of prayer, with a nimbus around her head, denoting her sanctity. 3. Evax, king of Arabia, a celebrated philosopher, physician and rhetorician is also portrayed. The verso side depicts: 1. Martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist. St. John the Evangelist is depicted kneeling in one of the cauldrons, in a posture of prayer, while an executioner is actively pouring heated oil over St. John. This portrayal aligns with the legend that Emperor Domitian decreed this fate for John. According to the Greek legend, John suffered no pain or change and immediately rose again in bodily form, ascending into heaven. 2. A lineage of popes is also shown including: Clemens, Anacletus and Evaristus. This is not a facsimile edition, but an original leaf printed in the 15th century - so 531 years old! Rare in coloured version. Dimensions: 43 x 29,5 cm Good condition.