Michel Wolgemut, “City of Ravenna”, 1493

Michel Wolgemut (or Michael Wohlgemuth) (1434–1519) and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (c. 1458–1494)

Original Incunabula Leaf featuring the “City of Ravenna” (Lettered as “Kavenna”), 1493

Contextual Commentary:

This remarkable double-sided leaf is printed in Gothic type on heavy laid paper. It comes from page CXLII (142) of Hartmann Schedel’s “Nuremberg Chronicle”, published in Nuremberg by Anton Koberger on December 23, 1493.

The recto features a detailed woodcut view of Ravenna. The accompanying German text recounts the city’s history, from its importance as a Roman outpost to its role as the capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom under Theodoric the Great. It describes Ravenna’s strategic position among marshes and waterways, which made it difficult to besiege, and celebrates Theodoric’s building projects as well as the region’s religious heritage.

The verso features four woodcut portraits associated with successive early popes: St. Symmachus, St. Hormisdas, St. John I, and St. Felix IV. The text summarises events from their pontificates, including Symmachus’s building work in Rome and John I’s diplomatic mission to Constantinople.

About the Woodcuts

As was common in late 15th-century printing, the woodcuts are not intended as literal portraits or topographical views. The Koberger workshop reused the Ravenna block to represent other cities, including Troy, Pisa, and Toulouse, and reused portrait blocks for different historical figures throughout the Chronicle.

Technical Details & Condition

Original double-sided leaf with woodcuts and letterpress text on laid paper, with margins as issued.

The woodcuts and type are richly inked and sharply defined. The blocks show little visible wear, consistent with a crisp impression. The leaf is remarkably well preserved, with pale age toning, historic ink notes in the upper-right recto margin, and some discreet underlining. It is free of tears, holes, repairs, and distracting stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 40.9 x 28 cm
• “City of Ravenna” image borderline: 20.0 x 22.2 cm

References:

• British Museum, Nuremberg Chronicle, curator’s comments: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1870-1008-1938-1-136

Price & Shipping:

AU$426 (approximately US$299.60 / €269.31 / £225.33), including worldwide express shipping. Any applicable import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

To enquire about this rare and substantial 1493 woodcut leaf from the incunabula period, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’d be happy to arrange a secure purchase by PayPal invoice.

This print has been sold