The book of wonders
The book of wonders
InquiryThe book of wonders
The Illustration of the Inconceivable
SEVENTY-FOUR PAGES OF LATE MEDIEVAL IMAGINATION IN COMMENTED IMAGES
This delicate German manuscript makes the impossible possible and also credible for the 15th century’s reader. 37 leaves are decorated with delicate full-page miniatures on the right, complete with short verses of an emblematic nature in German and Latin on the left. These goldheightened visual gems of illumination are juxtaposed with explanatory texts. The reasoning in picture and text follows a particular logic. If the gods of pagan antiquity are thought to have worked miracles, how much more credible are the miracles of the Christian world? How can anyone possibly doubt Mary’s virginity? If it is true that in Cappadocia mares are impregnated by the wind, then the Lord’s maid may also have conceived as a virgin. If Jupiter made Danae pregnant by a golden rain, then no one can doubt that Mary had a virgin birth. If in a temple of Venus, the oil lamp never goes out, this is a sure sign of Mary’s eternal virginity.
ENCHANTING MINIATURES OF THE COLOGNE SCHOOL
The miniatures were painted in an enchanting style by an unknown artist who obviously took particular joy in this
unusual text. He loves genre painting and dealing with antique figures that he outfits, however, with the clothing and appearance of his own day. Impressive interiors and atmospheric landscapes of a refreshing colourfulness are distinguishing features of his style, as is the love for details, which requires calm and patient contemplation by the viewer. It is truly amazing how well he manages to illustrate the inconceivable. The provenance from Cologne is furthermore underpinned by the marginal decoration: it shows the golden panicles so typical of the Cathedral city on the Rhine, twigs and foliage of gold, thickly applied to the parchment, with exquisite flowers in delicate colours.
MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF THE UNIMAGINABLE
It is actually quite amazing that even experts of the medieval mind discover ever-new ideas and thoughts in this book. Wonders of antiquity, conceptions taken from the Bible or the Apocryphal writings, and selected ideas of Albertus Magnus or Isidore
of Seville are all woven into a Marian vision of the world, which in this book is aimed only at one thing: proving the virginity of the mother of God. The entire book is based on simple, but frequently also enigmatic thoughts. The author of the text, a Dominican monk in Vienna named Franz von Retz (1343–1427), created a particular form of late medieval typology and emblemology, which due to its vividness could only be transposed and explained in painting.
Weight: 2kg
Characteristics
The book of wonders | |
| Creation Year | Beginning of the 16th Century |
| Place of Origin | Germany |
| Library | National Library in Dublin |
| Miniatures | 37 Miniature pages |
| Genre | Theology |
The Edition
The book of wonders | |
| Format | |
| Limitation | |
| Binding | |
| Commentary Volume (Language) | |
| Publisher | Müller und Schindler |
| Item Number | 41031 |
Answers and Questions
The collection aims to prove the virgin motherhood of Mary. The various stories of miracles and myths are presented to demonstrate that the Immaculate Conception is credible.
The stories are drawn from nature, history, the world of myths and legends, as well as the Old Testament. The text is based on the writings of Albertus Magnus, St Augustine, and Isidore of Seville.
Each event depicted on the recto (front) side is explained on the verso (back) side in short Latin and German verses.
The manuscript features vibrant, detailed miniatures framed with gold leaf, likely created for representational purposes. Its style follows the tradition of book illustration by Stefan Lochner.
It was created in Germany at the beginning of the 16th century and is now housed in the National Library in Dublin.
Stories of miracles and myths served as evidence of divine interventions and religious truths in the Middle Ages. They reinforced belief in the supernatural and supported theological doctrines like the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
Due to its lavish design with gold leaf and intricate miniatures, the manuscript was likely commissioned by wealthy patrons to showcase their status and piety.
Such works served as didactic tools to explain religious concepts through vivid stories and images. They made complex theological ideas more accessible and relatable to a wider audience.
