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'Sodom et Gomorra'.
'Sodom et Gomorra'. From the Liber chronicarum (Nuremberg Chronicle), folium XXI.
[Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, 1493]. One folded leaf (4 p.), numbered Folium XXI and XXII. 42 x 30 cm. With 8 larger and smaller handcoloured woodcuts, of which one references the destruction of Sodom and the escape of Lot with his family, led by an angel. This woodcut measures 22 x 12,5 cm. The bifolium is a a bit worn and creased, the fold has been restored (outside the text). The colouring has paled a little.
The Sodom woodcut is on the first page of the folded leaf. On the verso is a picture of Abraham meeting Melchisedech followed by an embellished woodcut family tree. Page 3 shows a large depiction of 'Memphis vel Chayrum', Memphis or Cairo, in the form of a strongly walled city; and page 4 the sacrifice by Abraham of his son Isaac: an angel staying Abraham's hand, while a ram is almost charging against his back. All the eight woodcuts are beautifully constructed and brillantly executed. The light colouring makes all the details stand out perfectly.