Hortulus animae

Hortulus animae – A. Oosthoek, van Holkema & Warendorf – Cod. Bibl. Pal. Vindob. 2706 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)

Ghent, Bruges or Alsace — Ca. 1500–1520

Prayers for all circumstances as medicine for the soul: Simon Bening's richly illuminated copy of one of the most popular prayer books of the 16th century, created for Cardinal Albrecht von Brandenburg

  1. The Hortulus animae was first published in 1498 and translated into German in 1501 by Sebastian Brant (1457/58–1521)

  2. This copy was probably illuminated for Cardinal Albert of Brandenburg (1490–1545) by Simon Bening (ca. 1483–1561)

  3. 36 full-page and 30 half-page miniatures as well as countless pictorial borders complement the popular anthology of prayers

Hortulus animae

  1. Description
  2. Facsimile Editions (2)
Description
Hortulus animae

Just as a garden produces a wide variety of herbs for the needs of human health, the Hortulus animae – the Little Garden of the Soul – offers a selected variety of prayers for every occasion in life. This is how the metaphorical title of one of the most popular Christian prayer books of the 16th century is explained in the work itself. The anthology of prayers was first published in Strasbourg in 1498 as a printed Latin incunabulum, but was already translated into German in 1501 by Sebastian Brant (1457/58–1521), the author of the Ship of Fools. Subsequently, dozens of German printed and partly modified editions appeared. Particularly wealthy and high-ranking patrons also commissioned much more elaborate manuscript copies in the tradition of late medieval book illumination. One such patron was presumably Cardinal Albert of Brandenburg (1490–1545), who is considered to be the purchaser of the richly decorated manuscript of the Hortulus animae in the Austrian National Library. It was probably none other than Simon Bening (around 1483–1561) who illuminated the prayer texts and the preceding calendar with beautiful Renaissance miniatures and ornate borders for him. Thus, he created a real treasure of late book illumination.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Hortulus animae – Seelengärtlein
Ortulus animae
Little Garden of the Soul
Jardin des Âmes
Raj duszny
Size / Format
1048 pages / 21.4 × 15.5 cm
Origin
Belgium
Date
Ca. 1500–1520
Language
Script
Gothic textura
Illustrations
36 full-page and 30 half-page miniatures, countless illuminated and decorated borders, splendid initials
Content
Anthology of prayers with texts for the mass, saints' offices and the commemoration of the dead, songs and litanies
Patron
Albrecht von Brandenburg (1490–1545)
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Archduchess Margaret of Austria (1480–1530)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Keiz. Hofbibliotheek te Weenen Hortulus Animae. Cod. Bibl. Pal. Vindob. 2706. Zielentuintje photomechanische Reproductie der keiz. Hof- en Staatsdrukkery te Weenen

A. Oosthoek, van Holkema & Warendorf – Amsterdam/Utrecht, 1907

Publisher: A. Oosthoek, van Holkema & Warendorf – Amsterdam/Utrecht, 1907
Limited Edition: 150 copies (of a total of 200)
Binding: Light brown calfskin binding with decorative blind tooling and light pigskin ribbons
Commentary: 1 volume by Friedrich Dörnhöffer
Language: Dutch

#2 K.K. Hofbibliothek in Wien. Seelengärtlein. Hortulus Animae Cod. Bibl. Pal. Vindob. 2706. Photomechanische Nachbildungen der k.k. Hof- und Staatsdruckerei in Wien

Limited Edition: 50 copies (of a total of 200)
Binding: Black leather binding with decorative blind tooling and light ribbons
Commentary: 1 volume by Friedrich Dörnhöffer
Language: German
1 volume: 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.
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