The World in a Book: “The Nuremberg Chronicle” and the Art of German Renaissance Illustration

(Saturday) (Sunday)

Michael Wolgemut (German, 1434–1519) or Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (German, ca. 1460–1494), The City of Ravenna (detail), from Die Schedelsche Weltchronik [The Nuremberg Chronicle] (Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1493), 1493. Hand-colored woodcut. Museum purchase, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts Endowment FundMichael Wolgemut (German, 1434–1519) or Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (German, ca. 1460–1494), The City of Ravenna (detail), from Die Schedelsche Weltchronik [The Nuremberg Chronicle] (Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1493), 1493. Hand-colored woodcut. Museum purchase, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts Endowment FundA milestone in the history of publishing, the Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) of 1493 was a hugely ambitious book documenting the entire history of the world back to the Creation with a sprawling text by German scholar Hartmann Schedel and an extensive illustration program in woodcut.The financing, design, and production of this monumental volume over a five-year period involved many prominent members of Nuremberg society. The young artist Albrecht Dürer, who would later go on to revolutionize the art and craft of book illustration, was employed as a key illustrator for the project.The Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts owns a first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle—one of approximately 400 surviving copies of the roughly 1,500 published with a Latin text on June 12, 1493—as well as a collection of unbound sheets orphaned from other copies over the centuries.This focused exhibition presents the complete Nuremberg Chronicle alongside a selection of its woodcut plates featuring city views and biblical imagery. Also on view are bound copies and single leafs from other important publications from the same era and later—the late 15th and early 16th centuries.Instant and persistent bestsellers among the intelligentsia, publications such as these fed an ever-growing hunger for knowledge and information packaged in visually luxurious formats appealing to both the eye and the intellect.Entry to this exhibition is included in general admission to the museum. Adults $10, seniors 65+ $7, students with current ID $6, youths 13–17 $6, members and children 12 and under free. Prices subject to change without notice.

Selection of further exhibitions in: United states

24.01.3086 - 24.03.3086
Mexican and Latino Art Museum | San Francisco | In Association With The Smithsonian Institution - Th
Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., Building D
San Francisco

Read more >>










The World in a Book: “The Nuremberg Chronicle” and the Art of German Renaissance Illustration Legion of Honor | Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Main address: Legion of Honor | Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 100 34th Avenue CA 94121 San Francisco, United states Legion of Honor | Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 100 34th Avenue CA 94121 San Francisco, United states Michael Wolgemut (German, 1434–1519) or Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (German, ca. 1460–1494), The City of Ravenna (detail), from Die Schedelsche Weltchronik [The Nuremberg Chronicle] (Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1493), 1493. Hand-colored woodcut. Museum purchase, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts Endowment FundMichael Wolgemut (German, 1434–1519) or Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (German, ca. 1460–1494), The City of Ravenna (detail), from Die Schedelsche Weltchronik [The Nuremberg Chronicle] (Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1493), 1493. Hand-colored woodcut. Museum purchase, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts Endowment FundA milestone in the history of publishing, the Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) of 1493 was a hugely ambitious book documenting the entire history of the world back to the Creation with a sprawling text by German scholar Hartmann Schedel and an extensive illustration program in woodcut.The financing, design, and production of this monumental volume over a five-year period involved many prominent members of Nuremberg society. The young artist Albrecht Dürer, who would later go on to revolutionize the art and craft of book illustration, was employed as a key illustrator for the project.The Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts owns a first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle—one of approximately 400 surviving copies of the roughly 1,500 published with a Latin text on June 12, 1493—as well as a collection of unbound sheets orphaned from other copies over the centuries.This focused exhibition presents the complete Nuremberg Chronicle alongside a selection of its woodcut plates featuring city views and biblical imagery. Also on view are bound copies and single leafs from other important publications from the same era and later—the late 15th and early 16th centuries.Instant and persistent bestsellers among the intelligentsia, publications such as these fed an ever-growing hunger for knowledge and information packaged in visually luxurious formats appealing to both the eye and the intellect.Entry to this exhibition is included in general admission to the museum. Adults $10, seniors 65+ $7, students with current ID $6, youths 13–17 $6, members and children 12 and under free. Prices subject to change without notice. Book tickets