Name/Title
StändebuchEntry/Object ID
2025.7.5Tags
germany, history, industrial, artDescription
The Ständebuch (Book of Trades) was a collaboration between three people: the poet/playwright/master singer/cobbler Hans Sachs; the artist Jost Amman; and influential publisher Sigmund Feyerabend. There is a suggestion that the publisher was the one who the the force behind the initiative, as illustrated encyclopaedia-type books were, at the time, a defining 'status' publication. It was a pioneering venture, and falls under the collection of "Ständeliteratur" (or Estate Literature) that was a feature of the Early Modern period (mid/late 1400s - mid 1700s).
The book contains texts illustrated with woodcuts that describe the spiritual and secular hierarchy plus various trades and professions and is an example of the outlook that was an important part of European life and culture. Descriptions are said to be objective, but they also demonstrate the moral/value judgements of the time. As well as the descriptions covering social ranks (eg, 'king') and the various trades, the illustrations give an insight into the technology and tools of the age.Created By
studygroup@scissornet.orgCreate Date
March 11, 2025Updated By
studygroup@scissornet.orgUpdate Date
June 23, 2025
