Know-How for a New Era

The expansion of cities in the late medieval era generated new ranks of ambitious merchants, entrepreneurs, and artisans. They sought fortune, but also knowledge—about health, the heavens, technology, and more. Know-How for a New Era explores illustrated books that fed the aspirations and curiosity of an urban populace living at the threshold of modernity.

A wealth of illustrated books from Europe circa 1500, in both print and manuscript, conjure the curiosity, ingenuity, and ambition of early modern city-dwellers. These volumes picture all manner of content—from horoscopes and home health remedies to games and entertainment to travel advice and civic administration. Know-How for a New Era explores more than fifty little-studied examples, bringing overdue attention to genres of images long-excluded from traditional art historical discourse. Artists: Berswordt Master; Boucicaut Master; Robert Campin; Jan van Eyck; Master E.S.;Master of Flémalle; Master of Großlobming; Giovannino de Grassi; Hans Multscher; Master of the Frankfurt Garden of Paradise; Pisanello; Claus Sluter; Claus de Werve