The Book of Revelation by John, written towards the end of the 1st century, belongs to the group of writings known as the Apocalypses. They describe an end-time event characterised by God's judgement and the final victory over evil. The New Testament book of the Revelation of John picks up on this thinking by making the crucified and resurrected Christ - the "Lamb" - the Lord and finisher of history. The catastrophic events leading up to the completion of the "City of God" represent the suffering and persecution of early Christianity as a last stand by the powers hostile to God.
And the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to sound. And the first blew his trumpet; and there came hail and fire mingled with blood, and were hurled upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burned up, and the third part of the trees was burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
The woodcuts from »Propheten alle Deudsch.« (1584) are by various masters. The illustrations for Revelation are based on the original Wittenberg prints of the September and December Testaments. After the opening of the seventh seal, seven angels blow their trumpets, bringing further disaster. The illustration shows the first angel with the trumpet standing above the clouds on the right. Fire with blood falls from the sky and sets fire to the city in the background.
Hans Lufft (1495-1584) was the most important Bible printer in Wittenberg. After 1572, Johann Krafft the Elder (?-1578), who was active in Wittenberg from 1549, was also entrusted with printing the Bible. He is regarded as the most important Wittenberg Reformation printer in the second half of the 16th century. His heirs continued to run the printing press in Wittenberg after his death.
Propheten alle Deudsch.
Wittenberg : Kraffts Erben, 1584.
BFSt: 36 A 9
And the second angel blew his trumpet; and something like a great mountain was thrown into the sea, burning with fire, and the third part of the sea became blood, and the third part of the living creatures of the sea died, and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Johann Krafft the Elder (?-1578) is considered the most important Wittenberg Reformation printer in the second half of the 16th century. His heirs continued to run the print shop in Wittenberg after his death. The woodcuts are by various masters. The illustrations for Revelation are based on the original Wittenberg prints of the September and December Testaments. The Bible illustration impressively depicts the second angel with the trumpet: the fiery mountain plunges into the sea, causing the people on the ships to fall into distress.
2. Propheten alle Deudsch.
Wittenberg : Kraffts Erben, 1584.
BFSt: 36 A 9
And the kings of the earth, who have fornicated and mourned with her, will mourn and lament when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand afar off for fear of her torment and say: Alas, alas, you great city, Babylon, you mighty city, in one hour your judgement has come!
This complete Bohemian Bible, published in Prague in 1537, was published and printed by Pawel (Paul) Seweryn (?-1554) from Kapí Hora (Kapenberg). It was illustrated with copies of the extensive cycle created in 1534 for the Wittenberg printing of Luther's first complete German Bible, the so-called Cranach Bible. While the burning Babylon in the September Testament was still recognisable as Rome, it was now depicted as Worms.
This symbolism refers to the downfall of the Edict of Worms, a decree issued by Charles V (1500-1558) at the Diet of Worms in 1521, which imposed imperial banishment on Luther. The colouring of the woodcuts in this copy appears clumsy, as if it had been done by assistants. Nevertheless, the colouring makes the depiction appear more lively and vivid and impressively demonstrates the force of the event to the viewer.
Bibel, böhmisch (1537)
Biblij Czeska w starem miestir Przskem wytisstiena.
Prag : Seweryn, 1537.
BFSt: 6 A 10
