Etas prima mundi Foliu IX

Title

Etas prima mundi Foliu IX

Illustration shows Adam working hard while Eve suckles Cain and Abel after the expulsion from Eden. On the reverse a family tree of Adam and three views of Cain and Abel. Printed by Anton Koberger, 1493.. Latin text page with a large woodcut and one of the most sought-after prints from the richly illustrated incunabulum, the famous: Nuremberg Chronicle, published in the year Columbus returned to Europe after the discovery of America. In May 1493 it appeared in Latin as one of the earliest voluminous books, fully illustrated with 1809 woodcuts, printed from 645 woodblocks. With the help of others, including the globe maker Martin Behaim, Doctor Hartmann Schedel compiled a chronicle of the world, known today as the Nuremberg Chronicle. Printed by Anton Koberger and financed by Sebald Schreyer in Latin and German editions.

ca. 1493

Artist

Schedel (1440-1515)

Hartmann Schedel (1440–1515) from Nuremberg is best known for the 1493 publication of the Schedel’s World Chronicle (Liber chronicarum), a universal history featuring 1,809 woodcuts—making it the most richly illustrated book of early printing. The chronicle, written in Latin by Schedel for merchants Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, was translated into German by Georg Alt and printed by Anton Koberger. The illustrations came from the workshop of Michael Wolgemut and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff. The work covers world history up to 1492/93, divided into eight ages of the world, and draws on numerous sources, including Jacobus Foresta and Enea Silvio Piccolomini. Notably, it features highly accurate city views, many depicted in detail for the first time. Pleydenwurff introduced a new perspective by portraying cities from a fixed viewpoint, emphasizing their unique architectural and landscape features. The project was funded in part by the patron Sebald Schreyer.

Historical Description

According to the biblical account in Genesis (chapters 2 to 5), Adam and Eve were the first human couple and thus the progenitors of all human beings. According to this, God formed Adam from earth and breathed into him the breath of life. Subsequently, Adam gave names to the animals, but found no partner counterpart. Thereupon God let Adam fall into a deep sleep, took from him a rib and created from this his counterpart Eve. While in the narration up to this point always of -the man- one speaks, Adam recognizes now in the meeting with the new being itself as man and opposite him Eve as woman. Adam is also mentioned in the Koran, the holy scripture of Islam. The biblical account of creation says: And God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him and he created them male and female. Adam and Eve first live in the Garden of Eden. There Eve is persuaded by the serpent to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, despite God's prohibition. The turning away from Gods commandments expressed in eating the forbidden fruit is considered disobedience to God in both the Jewish and Christian religions. Christianity speaks of the fall of man. As a result of the rebellion, the Bible describes Adam and Eve realizing their nakedness, whereupon they make themselves an apron of fig leaves. God confronts them, whereupon Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent. Both are expelled from the Garden of Eden, but God makes them fur clothing as protection. Eve must henceforth bear children in pain, and Adam is given the hard and laborious task of farming. The classical words : For dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return- express, according to the Christian interpretation, that death has now entered the world, since men have remained mortal. In the biblical narrative, after the expulsion from Paradise, Adam begets Cain, Abel and Set with Eve.