Quinta etas Mundi

Title

Quinta etas Mundi

Description

Representation od Syrian kings and the genealogy of Matathias, on reverse the genealogy of Apius Claudius.

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

In "Das fünfte Alter der Welt" (The Fifth Age of the World), Hartmann Schedel discusses events and figures from ancient history up to the birth of Christ. The chronicle combines biblical history with ancient history and also describes the Seven Wonders of the World as well as other famous structures.