Lucerne Chronicle of Diebold Schilling

The Lucerne Chronicle of Diebold Schilling

The Swiss chroniclers of the Late Middle Ages published a series of popular chronicles that have familiarized posterity with the political, religious, economic, and social life of the Old Swiss Confederacy. The most prominent work of this kind is the Lucerne Chronicle of Diebold Schilling the Younger. The text covers the history of the confederacy from its formation up to the year 1513. The time period of 1474–1513 is noted in particular. Relationships of political dependence stand in the foreground. The relationship of the confederates to the great powers and of the Holy Roman Emperors to the empire are debated through 443 pages. From that, only a small amount of space was used for text, which is outweighed by the impressive miniatures of the illustrated chronicle.

Two Masters of their Discipline

The text of the Lucerne Chronicle was composed by Diebold Schilling the Younger and some of the illumination is attributed to him. Schilling came from a family of some of the most experienced and talented authors of the Middle Ages. His uncle, who bore the same name, composed the world-famous Great Burgundy Chronicle. The young Diebold Schilling, who studied law in Basel, worked as a notary in Lucerne in 1479 and later went to the court of the Sforza in Milan. During this time, he began work on his illustrated chronicle of Luerne, which was probably commissioned by the authorities of Lucerne. The exact commissioner is not known. The work was completed in 1513 and was presented at a ceremonial meeting to the city council of Lucerne. The second and no less talented illuminator has remained anonymous. His miniatures differ from Schilling’s in their brushwork and color choice. This painter appears to be more experienced and already strongly influenced by Renaissance painting, while Schilling’s illustrations still stem from the unsophisticated Late Medieval style.

The Most Splendid Work of its Kind

One can safely say that the Lucerne Chronicle is the most splendidly decorated codex of the Late Middle Ages. There is no other work in which the illustrations are more meticulously and richly designed. Pictures of the most vivid colors and detail are to be found on every page. The text does not stand in the middle, as was typical, instead the text merely accompanies the image composition. Again and again, one turns to two page illustrations without text, albeit with Gothic framing, banderoles, or transcriptions that enhance the monumental effect of the images. The illustrations, which are penned in a wide variety of low-keyed colors and outlined in black, depict a sprawling plethora of people, landscapes, and buildings of all kinds. In the first volume of the chronicle, for example, the ceremonial act of presenting the work to the city council is depicted. This colorful method of depicting life at that time makes the work an enjoyable source for every historically interested reader.