Heinrich Vogtherr’s woodcut, “The Siege of Pavia”, 1548

Heinrich Vogtherr I (1490–1556)

“The Siege of Pavia” (descriptive title only, based on my reading of the accompanying text), 1548, a lifetime/early impression (based on the quality of line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate) published by Christoph Froschauer (aka Christoffel Froschouer) (c.1490–1556/64) in Zurich in 1548 as an illustration on page 209 to the first volume of Johannes Stumpf’s (1500–1577) Swiss Chronicle of the Reformation, “Gemeiner loblicher Eydgnoschafft Stetten, Landen und Völckeren Chronick wirdiger Thaaten Beschreybung” (Description of the cities, regions and people of the laudable confederation as well as a chronicle of the worthy doings) (aka “Reformationschronik”).

Archive.org offers an online view of this print in its context in the publication: https://archive.org/details/gemeinerlobliche01stum/page/n445/mode/2up.  

Woodcut on laid paper trimmed around the image borderline with Fraktur letterpress text verso.

Size: (sheet/image borderline) 8 x 16.7 cm

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression showing minimal wear to the printing plate with letterpress text verso, trimmed along the image borderline. Beyond age-toning (darkening) and a few minor marks verso (possibly glue) the sheet is in an excellent condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or significant stains.

I am selling this marvellous woodcut showing (from my reading to the accompanying text) Charlemagne’s siege of Desiderius in his capital of Pavia (on the invitation of Pope Adrian I), for a total cost of AU$252 (currently US$189.40/EUR172.39/GBP143.60 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this early woodcut executed with the utmost skill in portraying the action of the siege—some elements of which are arguably anachronistic considering the battle occurred in the late 700s, such as the cannons blasting and the two figures on horseback with lances raised advancing on each other wearing medieval armour—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold