Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) was published in two editions, Latin and German, both in 1493, appearing in print just before Christopher Columbus' discoveries completely re-shaped the European view of the World. This splendid work presented the history of the world in a pictorial encyclopedia with approximately 285 pages of text and 1,800 woodcut illustrations. Among these illustrations are views of towns and cities throughout Europe and the Near East. The majority of these views are entirely imaginary. In fact, 49 of the views are actually printed from the same group of 14 woodblocks. There are also 30 double-page views of cities with more realistic images. In addition to the topographical images, there are an enormous number of other subjects, including diagrams of the Creation, comets, family trees, portraits & biblical scenes. The text was compiled and edited by Hartmann Schedel, printed by Anton Koberger, with illustrations designed by Michael Wohlgemuth and Willem Pleydenwurff, who cut the woodblocks, probably with the assistance of their apprentice, Albrecht Durer.

The recto of this sheet with German text shows the portraits of Radegunda (Radegundis), a queen of the Franks, Gregory (Gregorius), archbishop of Tours, and several other bishops: Fortunatus, bishop of Tudertinus; Germain (Germanus), bishop of Paris; Samson (Sampson), bishop of Dol; Amandus, bishop of Maastricht. At bottom is an image of Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I) with an odd-looking dove, the symbol typically attributed to Gregory. The verso of the sheet depicts Popes Gregory, Sabinianus, Boniface the Third, and Boniface the Fourth.

References:

Condition: B

Watermarked paper with light toning, minor soiling and damp stains confined to bottom blank margin.