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

Original incunabulum leaf XXXI (31) from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel, the first 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.

On the recto side, the Calf of God is depicted. The story of the golden calf is found in Exodus 32 in the Bible. When Moses was away for too long, the Israelites asked Aaron to make them a new god. He took their golden earrings and made a golden calf from them. The golden calf was an idol that the people worshiped instead of the real God. This is depicted here.

On the verso side, two beautiful illustrations are shown:
1. This illustrations depicts two arks, side by side. The ark at the left shows the construction according to the Rabbi Solomon; while the one at the right, according to the ‘Catholic doctors.’
2. Table of Showbread is depicted. The table rests on a tessellated floor while on either side is a stack of six cakes, surmounted by a bowl of burning incense is shown.
Dimensions: 40,9 x 30 cm

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

Good condition, some light brown spots and creases (mostly in white margin), upper margin with small wormhole.