Biography and Works of Printer and Wood-Cutter Michael Peterle (†1588)

Thesis about life and work of a printer and a woodcutter Michael Peterle is focused mainly on his assumed woodcutting activity (he was active between years 1562-1588). It is based on following assumption: although Michael Peterle did not sign his woodcuts, he illustrated portion of his prints. His printing office produced multitude of topical compositions and some interesting illustrated books. Photodocumentation and description of woodcutting illustrations and decoration (according to Soupis tisků Michaela Peterla staršího a jeho nástupců by Pravoslav Kneidl and more recent sources) was created during writing of this thesis. Attention was also focused on context of usage of illustrations. Afterwards Illustrations and decoration of Peterle's competition in the Czech Republic and Germany were examined. Conducted research showed, that Michael Peterle was not woodcutter, but only a colorist and a printer. This thesis provides another view on printing production in the second half of the 16th century. Key words: Peterle, Michael; printer; bookprinting; woodcut; illustration; decoratio