Gutenberg’s Bible – The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin)
Mainz (Germany) — Around 1453
A milestone in the history of mankind: probably the most splendid edition of Gutenberg’s famous Bible, richly adorned with colorful, fantastical decorated borders and gold-glowing decorated initials.
A milestone in the history of book art: one of the most valuable early prints of the Bible printed by Johannes Gutenberg in his workshop in Mainz. The inventor of modern letterpress printing produced a short print-run of bibles as a testimony to this new and groundbreaking technology. Even at the time of their creation, the Bibles were very expensive and could only be acquired by extremely wealthy collectors. Once purchased, the valuable prints could then be individually decorated by artists according to their own wishes, which in turn yielded some precious unique specimens. The Berlin State Library owns one of these extremely rare copies of the Gutenberg Bible, which is one of the most valuable books in the collection and one of the most creatively successful prints of the 15th century. Colourful, imaginative marginal illuminations and gilded decorative initials, together with the beautifully coloured miniatures, adorn this extraordinary work. The miniatures, as well as the other book decoration, are based on great models of book illumination and are attributed to the so-called Pfauenwerkstatt, a Leipzig book-painting workshop.
A milestone in the history of book art: one of the most valuable early printings of the Bible, which Johannes Gutenberg printed in his Mainz workshop. The inventor of book printing produced a short print-run of bibles as a testimony to this new and groundbreaking technology. These valuable prints could be individually decorated by artists according to the wishes of their respective buyers, which in turn yielded some precious unique specimens. One of these precious and exceedingly rare specimens of the Gutenberg Bible is stored in the Berlin State Library and counts among the most precious books of the collection!
A True Rarity in Outstanding Quality
“One of the earliest testimonies of the art of printing,” “one of the most artistically accomplished prints of the 15th century,” and other superlatives are only a few of the catchphrases that are associated with this book. Johannes Gutenberg is considered to be the inventor of modern book printing with moveable metal type and the printing press. In 1435, as the first evidence of his invention, he produced a short print-run of only 45 vellum and 135 paper editions of the Bible in his Mainz workshop. The 42-lined bible in Berlin is considered to be the most beautiful specimen of these Gutenberg bibles.
Printed and Illuminated
The printed Gutenberg Bible was already very expensive at the time of its creations was a collector’s piece for only the wealthiest buyers. These printed books could subsequently be put into the hands of artist, who then furnished them according to individual wishes. In this way, some wonderfully unique specimens furnished with bright colors and splendid gold came into being. Lovingly-produced illustrations, both entertaining and suitable, adorn these bibles.
A Gem of the Berlin Collection
The Berlin specimen of the Gutenberg Bible contains roughly 100 gorgeously colored miniatures. These are attributed to the so-called Pfauenwerkstatt or “peacock workshop”, an illuminator’s studio that was active in Leipzig during the mid–15th century. Additionally, one finds initials, flowering tendrils, embellishing ornamentation, and small animals – e.g. a splendid peacock, a cheeky sparrow, and buzzing dragonflies. The book and its decoration are oriented on the great models of illumination! This precious early print of the historic masterpiece of Johannes Gutenberg combines two special features in this way: the outstanding significance as an incunable from the early period of book printing between 1450 and 1500, and the reminder of its marriage with illumination. It is no wonder that the Gutenberg Bible is considered to be one of the most important pieces of the Berlin collection!
Codicology
Alternative Titles
Gutenberg Bible
Gutenberg’s 42-line Bible B42
42-zeilige Gutenberg-Bibel
Gutenberg B-42
Gutenberg Bibel
Type
Printed book on parchment
Size / Format
2 volumes – 1,282 pages / 43.5 × 31.0 cm
Origin
Germany
Date
Around 1453
Epochs
Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style
Renaissance
Early Prints
Genre
Bibles / Gospels
Language
Latin
Illustrations
Ca. 100 colored miniatures, dozens of decorated initials and scroll ornament
Content
Old and New Testament
Artist / School
Johannes Gutenberg (ca. 1400 – February 3rd 1468) (printer)
Peacock Workshop (illuminators)
