Treasures from the Austrian National Library

Treasures from the Austrian National Library – Coron Verlag – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)

France, Germany, and others — 6th–15th century

From the rich collections of a library of the emperors: ten of the Austrian National Library's most elaborate miniatures of illuminated manuscripts, created between the 6th and 15th centuries

  1. Established in 1368 by Duke Albert III of Austria (1349–95), the Austrian National Library is one of the finest in the world

  2. Its collections were developed by Holy Roman Emperors Frederick III (1415–93), Maximilian I (1459–1519), and more

  3. These ten specimens are of great historic and artistic value and range from the 6th to the 15th centuries

Treasures from the Austrian National Library

  1. Description
  2. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Treasures from the Austrian National Library

The grand capital of Vienna is a gorgeous reminder of the great empire and leading role Austria held in Europe for centuries as the shield of Christendom against the Ottoman Turks and the leading power in Central Europe. The Austrian National Library is among the monuments to this glorious past and is part of the Hofburg, the grand complex of buildings that once served as the Hapsburg’s imperial palace. Originating in the 14th century, the massive library includes numerous collections and houses four museums. Its comprehensive collection of medieval manuscripts covers virtually every literate culture because they were often included in the dowries of the Hapsburgs’ dynastic marriages, continuously enriching Austria’s bibliographic riches as a result.

Treasures from the Austrian National Library

Formerly the Imperial Library, the Austrian National Library is one of the finest institutions of its kind in the world, with collections exceeding 12 million items. It was established in 1368 by Duke Albert III of Austria (1349–95), who moved his collections from a vault into a library where his scribes could begin translating Latin manuscripts. Its collections were added to by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III (1415–93) with great works like the Wenceslas Bible and a magnificent illuminated manuscript of the Golden Bull, both created ca. 1400. The marriage of Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519) to Mary of Burgundy (1457–82) brought with it a dowry that included many books from the rich Duchy Burgundy, which once stretched across eastern and northern France to the Netherlands. Emperor Maximilian II (1527–76) appointed Hugo Blotius (1533–1608) to be the first head librarian in 1575. The library was further appended in 1737 by the collection of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663–1736), who was equally a great warrior and patron of the arts; his collection added 15,000+ volumes including many Italian and French works. Housed in a magnificent wing of the Hofburg in the center of Vienna, this collection’s repository is a monument to its incredible collections, including some of the finest illuminated manuscripts in the world.
These ten specimens represent some of the highlights of this incredible manuscript collection:
1. Joseph and the Wife of Potiphar
Vienna Genesis, 6th century

  1. Christ’s Arrest
    Black Prayer Book of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Flanders, ca. 1466–1476

  2. Michael’s Battle with the Dragon
    Book of Hours, Avignon, ca. 1400

  3. The Last Judgement
    Bohun Psalter, London (?) ca. 1330/60

  4. The Legend of Luke
    Evangeliary of Johannes von Troppau, 1368

  5. John and Procheros
    Athos Evangeliary, 12th century

  6. Initial Page “TE” to the Canon Missae
    Fragment of a Carolingian Sacramentary, ca. 860

  7. Adoration of the Magi, Baptism of Christ
    Antiphonary of Saint Peter, Salzburg, ca. 1160

  8. God as Architect of the World
    Bible moralisée, France, ca. 1220

  9. Instructing Maximilian
    Textbook for Emperor Maximilian, Vienna, ca. 1470

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Kassette SchĂ€tze der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek
Origin
France
Date
6th–15th century
Illustrations
10 miniatures
Content
Ten leaves from important manuscripts from the Austrian National Library

Available facsimile editions:
Treasures from the Austrian National Library – Coron Verlag – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Coron Verlag – GĂŒtersloh, 1995
Limited Edition: 1995 copies
Facsimile Editions

#1 Kassette SchĂ€tze der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek

Coron Verlag – GĂŒtersloh, 1995

Publisher: Coron Verlag – GĂŒtersloh, 1995
Limited Edition: 1995 copies
Binding: Box
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: German
1 volume: 10 leaves under passe-partouts: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €
(under 1,000€)
You might also be interested in:
The Twelve Zodiacal Signs and Their Myths – Coron Verlag – Several Owners
The Twelve Zodiacal Signs and Their Myths
Paris (France); Bruges (Belgium) and others – 12th–16th century

From the most renowned art collections in the world: some of the most beautiful and famous depictions of the zodiac in book illumination and evidence of the medieval and modern fascination with the art of astrology

Experience More
Treasures from the Bavarian State Library – Coron Verlag – Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)
Treasures from the Bavarian State Library
Salzburg (Austria); Mainz (Germany) and others – 9th–16th century

A treasure chest of illumination: a portfolio of ten magnificent miniature pages from the finest illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages kept in Munich

Experience More
Blog articles worth reading
Filter selection
Publisher