The Fall of Simon Magus (Depiction of Armageddon, Apocalypse, Antichrist (Septima etas mudi))

About the Engraving:

This famous woodcut was engraved by Michael Wolgemut (1434-1519) and entitled “Septima etas mudi.” The image is said to be a depiction of the Apocalypse or Armageddon with a battle with the Antichrist. Armageddon (the apocalyptic battle at the end of times between good and evil) where God defeats the Antichrist and Archangel Michael is in battle with the dragon. Based on further reading about the engraving, the Antichrist might be a depiction of the Fall of Simon Magus or Simon the Sorcerer. Simon was a Samaritan grifter that claimed to be an incarnation of God that used levitation to convert a following to Simonainism. Peter eventually converts Simon, but he asks to buy the powers of the Apostles and thus the sin of “Simony” was created. His sotry is referred to in Acts 8:9–24.

About the work:

This important and historic engraving is from Hartmann Schedel Liber Chronicarum, more commonly known as the Nuremberg Chronicle. This is the first edition / printing of the work. It is the Latin edition that was published 6 months prior to the German edition. Both editions were limited to 2000 printings. It was published in Nuremberg in 1493 by Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister.

The work included numerous illustrations that were completed by Michael Wolgemut, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff, and members of their workshop. This very likely included the young Albrecht Dürer as well. The work included maps and town views, but also chronicles historic information including the invention of the printing press, development of the game of chess, navigational voyages, and important constructions.

Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514) was a German writer, physician, and book collector. He is most remembered for his famous work Liber Chronicarum or Nuremberg Chronicle. He published some of the first printed views of many cities.