Phoenix - Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493. (Mythical Creature Art Print)
This vintage art print shows a phoenix rising from its own flames, drawn in strong late medieval lines on a warm parchment style background. The bird sits in a simple rocky setting, surrounded by fire, so the whole scene feels focused and calm rather than loud or dramatic. It works well in a study, reading corner or bedroom where you want a small, symbolic image with a bit of mystery.
About this art print
This print is based on the phoenix woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle (Latin Liber Chronicarum), a famous illustrated book printed in Nuremberg in 1493. The Chronicle mixes world history, saints’ lives and natural history, and includes a section on real and legendary animals. The phoenix appears there as one of the “wonders” of creation, shown in the moment of burning so it can be reborn from the ashes.
The bird is drawn with a long neck, sharp beak and layered feathers, almost like a mix between an eagle and a heron. Flames rise around its body, but the face stays calm, which fits the old idea of the phoenix as a symbol of renewal and hope rather than simple destruction. The rocky ground and empty background keep the focus on the single creature, so the viewer is pulled straight into that idea of death and rebirth.
Prints like this sit somewhere between bestiary illustration and early science. They are not meant as strict field guides, but they do show how people in the late 15th century tried to picture stories they knew from older texts. That is part of why the Nuremberg Chronicle is still studied today: it lets you see how medieval book makers turned both history and myth into images on the page.
Craft & finish
This phoenix art print is made on hand processed paper, highlighted with subtle gold and sealed with beeswax so it feels close to real parchment when you hold it. The surface catches the light softly on the texture of the paper, but colors can look a little different from screen to screen.
You can find more pieces like this in our Vintage Art Prints collection.
Phoenix (Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493.) - Vintage Art Print
In case your print creases during the travel, as it usually does travel for some time, you can safely warm it up with a hair-dryer, and the wax will melt back right into it. You can also use a lighter, which is a much faster method, but be careful to keep the flame either above the paper or parallel to it (which means holding the paper vertically) so it doesn't smudge or even catch fire. The chance of the print actually creasing is very small, as they are rolled in bubble-wrap and shipped in a cardboard box. Also, be sure to keep the print out of the direct sunlight, as it can melt or fade.
Visit the link below to see more about how our replicas are made, how to display them, and repair the damage:
https://www.artifex-replicas.com/post/about-our-parchment-replicas
