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Apocalipsis cù figuris

RA Collection: Book

Record number

05/940

Imprint

(Impressa denuo Nurnberge: p Albertum Durer pictorem., Anno christiano Millesimo Quingentesimo undecimo)

Physical Description

[29] p.: [16] illus.; 468 mm.

General Note

The sixteen woodcuts consist of: the title-plate, with letter-press on its verso; one free-standing plate; fourteen full-page prints, each with letter-press on the verso. The text itself calls for only thirteen prints - each leaf of text, except the first two and the last one, ending with the rubric 'Sequitur secunda (- tredecima) figura' (these coincide with the ends of chapters 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21).

Contents

[T.pl.]; Incipit prologus ...; Item alius prologus in Apocalysim - [Plate] - Incipit argumentum in Apocalypsim ... [followed on the same page by the text of the Revelation, with woodcuts]; [colophon; privilege].

Responsibility Note

Fifteen woodcuts (the freestanding plate and the fourteen prints with text on the versos) are signed 'AD' within the plate; the title cut is not.

The place of publication, name of the publisher and date of publication are given in the colophon.

The printer of the text was Anton Koberger.

References

H. Davies, Catalogue Of A Collection Of Early German Books In The Library Of C. Fairfax Murray, no. 138, p.273-5.

R. Schoch, M. Mende and A. Scherbaum, Albrecht Durer: Das Druckgraphische Werk, vol. II. (2002); D. Paisey, The British Museum, Department of Prints and Drawings: Catalogue of German printed books to 1900 (2002); W. Print, Durer: catalogo completo (1996); W.L. Strauss, ed., Albrecht Dürer: woodcuts and woodblocks (1980); L. Grote, Albrecht Dürer: Die Apokalypse (1970) (woodcuts reproduced at original size); J. Meder, Dürer-Katalog: ein Handbuch über Albrecht Dürers Stiche, Radierungen, Holzschnitte, deren Zustände, Ausgaben und Wasserzeichen (1932).

Summary Note

This work was first published in 1498 in two editions - one German, the other Latin - including 15 woodcuts with letter-press on the versos. A sixteenth cut - the title-leaf - has been added for this 1511 Latin edition.

The cuts have been admired not only for their own technical and aesthetic qualities, but also for the marriage which they make with Koberger's printed text.

The first cut shows not the Revelation of John but St. John's martyrdom. The second to thirteenth cuts, called for by the text, and the fourteenth and fifteenth cuts, all show visions described in the Revelation. The sixteenth cut, added for this edition, gives the title and shows St John writing next to the Woman with the Moon.

Binding Note

19th- or early 20th-century half brown morocco, marbled-papered boards; spine lettered 'Durer - Apocalypsis Cum Figuris - 1498' and 'R.A.'

Name as Subject

Subject

Bible, N.T, Revelation
Christian art and symbolism - Afterlife - Eschatology
Pictorial works - Illustrated books - Woodcuts - Typography - Germany - 15th century - 16th century

Contributors

Albrecht Dürer, draughtsman, engraver, publisher
Anton Koberger

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