World Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel

World Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel

As a book of superlatives, Schedel’s World Chronicle, measuring 44.3 x 30.8 centimeters, not only has a large-format but is also very richly illustrated with over 1,800 colored woodcuts. This extremely important illustrated incunabula appeared in Nuremberg in 1493 in a Latin and a German version. For this great book project, well-known names assembled around the doctor, humanist and historian Hartmann Schedel (1440–1514): Michael Wolgemut (1434–1519), together with his apprentice Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), was probably responsible for the manifold woodcuts and Anton Koberger (c. 1440–1513) joined the group as printer and publisher. Today, the world chronicle is best known for its magnificent cityscapes, some of which are considered the first truly realistic representations.

World History in Seven Chapters

In the narrative, the portrayal of world history follows the tradition of medieval chronicles, in which the history of the world is divided into seven ages. The first begins with the creation of the world and the last gives a view of the end of the world and the Last Judgment. In the Nuremberg Chronicle, however, the sixth age of the world is described most extensively. It ranges from the birth of Christ to the author’s present. In addition to historical events and persons, Schedel also reports miraculous phenomena and sensations and gives geographical information, especially regarding cities and areas.

A Team from Nuremberg

For his most important work, Schedel engaged no less than Michael Wolgemut for its decoration. At this time, the painter and master of woodcuts from Nuremberg had a very important apprentice in his workshop who is famous today: the young Albrecht Dürer. Precisely how large his contribution to the Chronicle actually was remains contested among researchers. As an important printer, publisher, and merchant of the incunabula period, Anton Koberger completed the team from Nuremberg.

Famous Cityscapes

Of the total of 1,809 woodcuts, 29 are double-page cityscapes. Each of them is provided with detailed descriptions of the founding history, names and facts about contemporary culture, as well as economy and trade. These illustrations of the geographical part of the chronicle are not only popular because of their numerous delightful details. Many of them are the oldest authentic images of the cities. For example, the woodcut of Nuremberg is the first printed view of its kind.