The Book of Bibles

Description

In the beginning was the word, and in the Middle Ages were kings, princes, and high-ranking religious members whose wealth and influence produced illustrated bibles of extraordinary craftsmanship. This Bibliotheca Universalis edition brings together 50 of the finest medieval bible manuscripts from the Austrian National Library. With examples from every epoch of the Middle Ages, the collection explores visualizations of the bible in various theological and historical contexts. In impeccable reproduction quality, these stunning images may be appreciated as much as art historical treasures as they are important religious artifacts. Texts by Andreas Fingernagel, Stephan Fussel, Christian Gastgeber, and a team of 15 scientific authors describe each manuscript in detail, exploring both the evolution of the Bible and the medieval understanding of history. A glossary of important terms is also included so that those not versed in bible history can enjoy the texts as well. About the series Bibliotheca Universalis - Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe!

Stephan Fussel is director of the Institute for Book Studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, and holder of the Gutenberg Chair at the same university. He has published prolifically on the early days of printing, the sale and publication of books between the 18th and 20th centuries, and the future of communications. Christian Gastgeber studied classics and Byzantine studies at the University of Vienna. He received a doctorate and habilitation in Byzantine studies and since 2001 is staff member of the Byzantine Research Institute and Division, respectively, of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, specializing in Greek paleography and diplomatics as well as text traditions and reception research with an emphasis in humanism. Since his habilitation in the year 2010 he is internationally active in academic teaching and research and heads several editorial projects. Andreas Fingernagel studied art history and archaeology in Salzburg and Vienna. From 1985 to 1989, he worked in the Manuscripts Department of the Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz in Berlin, and later took part in research relating to the cataloguing of medieval manuscripts at the Austrian National Library in Vienna. He is currently Director of the Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books at the Austrian National Library.

"A stunning reminder of a time when the word of God inspired images of astonishing luminosity and daunting levels of physical sacrifice." * The Independent *