LA BIBLE MORALISÉE DE LA BIBLIOTHÈQUE NATIONALE D'AUTRICHE. Codex Vindobonensis 2554 Reproduite en Facsimile Intégral.

TWO VOLUMES.

Published by Akademischen Druck u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz (Academic Printing and Publishing House, Graz), in association with Club Du Livre, Paris. Printed by the Akademischen Druck u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz, Austria, 1973. ISBN: 3-201-00833-8.

LIMITED EDITION. This is one of only 1000 copies produced as "Volume XL" in the series "Codices Selecti" of the Akademischen Druck u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz, out of a total printing of 3000 copies. Of the 3000 copies, the first 1000 unnumbered copies were for the Austrian Publisher's "Codices Selecti" series, and 2000 numbered copies were reserved for the Club du Livre, Paris.

Two volumes, 10.5x14 inches. The illustrated facsimile volume is bound in dark leather that has been blind stamped with intricate patterns, 133 pages. The text volume is bound in linen covered boards with a polished calf spine, there is gilt titling to the front cover and spine. The two volumes do not have a slipcase.

The facsimile volume reproduces the original illuminated manuscript held in the Austrian National Library. It is printed in gilt and bright colors, reflecting the brilliant gold and hand inked colors of the original illuminated manuscript. The borders reproduce the age marks of the original vellum leaves of the Austrian National Library copy. It is GORGEOUS, the photographs do not do it justice.

The accompanying 72 page text volume is in German and French on facing pages. It contains a commentary on the Codex Vindobonensis 2554, by Reiner Haussherr, and a descriptive LIST of the ILLUSTRATIONS in the facsimile.

Both volumes are in NEAR FINE condition, just a touch of wear to the spine ends, the illustrations are bright and glittering lovely.

Excellent facsimile of the stunning illuminated manuscript in the Austrian National Library.

About the BIBLE MORALISÉE (from Wikipedia):

******The BIBLE MORALISÉE, also known as the "Bible Historiée", the "Bible Allégorisée" and sometimes "Emblémes Bibliques", is a later name for the most important examples of the medieval picture bibles, called in general "biblia pauperum", to have survived. They are heavily illustrated, and extremely expensive, illuminated manuscripts of the thirteenth century, and from the copies that still survive it is clear that they existed in at least two versions with different contents. They were similar in the choice and order of the Biblical texts selected, but differed in the allegorical and moral deductions drawn from these passages.

Though large, the manuscripts only contained selections of the text of the Bible, along with commentary and illustrations. Each page pairs Old and New Testament episodes with illustrations explaining their moral significance in terms of typology.

There are seven surviving fully illustrated manuscripts of the Bible moralisée group; all date from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries and were designed for the personal use of the French royal family. Four were created in the early thirteenth century, when church art dominated the decorative arts. As common in stained glass and other Gothic art of the time, the illustrations are framed within medallions. The text explained the theological and moral meanings of the text. Many artists were involved in the creation of each of the BIBLES MORALISÉES, and their identities and shares of the work remain unclear.******

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