Description
Facsimile limited edition of the Tschachtlan’s Illustrated Chronicle by Faksimile Verlag (1986) featuring:
- Edition details: Tschachtlans Bilderchronik – Munich: Faksimile Verlag, 1986
- Commentary: German by Schmid Alfred, Ladner Pascal, Widmer Sigmund, Zahnd Urs Martin, Michel Hans and Bartlome Vinzenz. The commentary volume comprises more than 470 pages and comes in a half leather binding in the same format as the facsimile edition of the manuscript. On the occasion of the publication of the replica, renowned experts have examined the work and its background in all its aspects. A transcription of the full text guarantees a better understanding of the work
- Binding: the full-leather binding has been reproduced by hand, embossing and clasps correspond with those of the original book. The leaves have been sewn by hand on five cords
About the original manuscript: Zentralbibliothek Zürich, Ms. A 120
In the illuminated chronicles of the 15th and 16th centuries, the Swiss Confederation created cultural documents of a very unique character. They all go back to a stunning work with an unbiased pictorial language of very special artistic charm. Tschachtlan’s chronicle particularly fascinates because of its decoration, 230 mostly full-page coloured illustrations which, in line with the tradition of the Late Middle Ages, are characterised by a certain fresh light-heartedness. The pictures appear as relievo landscape sections and enchant the viewer by their vivid, expressive manner.
Tschachtlan – A Politician and Annalist Bendicht
Tschachtlan reputedly was a reliable, devoted statesman and administrator; an experienced and moderate person, he belonged to the well-situated, aspiring upper middle class. Out of his position close to the aristocracy, he always was mindful of his honour and reputation.
All in all, he worked for 45 years in the public service. Tschachtlan was born around 1420. In 1448 he entered the Municipal Council of the City of Bern, in 1452 he married. As member of the Council in the years 1453 to 1493 he participated in important decisions regarding his city.
His activities included some of the most important public functions: finance and building, law, economyand control over ecclesiastical institutions. From the last quarter of the 15th century, Tschachtlanbegan to retire from certain official functions. The politician and annalist died late in 1493.
The Oldest Swiss Illuminated Chronicle
Tschachtlan’s chronicle contributes some great innovations to the field of chronicles in general. First of all, it is the first illustrated chronicle as such; pictures were added to clearly illustrate the text.
Second, it contains the first comprehensive reproduction of the great annalists before Tschachtlan, in particular Konrad Justinger and Hans Fründ, in a single volume. And third, part of this chronicle served as a working base for Diebold Schilling’s first work.
It is assumed that the young Schilling had an editorial function in Tschachtlan’s chronicle. The text as such was written by Heinrich Dittlinger, another politician from Bern.
Both worked together to achieve this chronicle without public commission, on a purely private basis. In the epilogue they refer to themselves as the authors stating that the chronicle was completed in 1470.
The Decoration
Tschachtlan’s paintings reveal a stunning variety. His pictures are a real mine of information for any art historian eager to study weapons, clothing, uniforms, siege and battle techniques or even camp life of the time.
Tschachtlan’s well-trained eye describes everyday life: trial scenes, life in the country, in the cities turmoil of war campaigns, siege and conquest.
Colourful events in the city and in the countryside, with special emphasis on the warlike conditions of the time, as well as the ways of great statesmen and the simple life of mercenaries, all is shown in this most interesting kaleidoscope of the chronicle. The work is a vivid testimony to Swiss history.
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