Matthew Merian's Bible of 1630 - New Testament
Arguably the finest copperplates ever created adorn the text of this 17th century codex of the New Testament, printed in German with an elegant Fraktur script. It is the work of the famous Matthäus Merian the Elder, who arguably even surpassed the great Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer in the art of engraving. These colored engravings are remarkable for their artistry, creativity, and precision, making this “copper Bible” a particularly coveted specimen of Early Modern printing.
Matthew Merian's Bible of 1630 - New Testament
Mathew or Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593–1650) was a Swiss engraver, the most famous in history, and printer from a patrician background who was active in Frankfurt. He apprenticed in Zürich where he learned the art of copperplate engraving, and studied thereafter in Strasbourg, Nancy, and Paris. He came to Frankfurt in 1616 and married Maria Magdalena de Bry, the daughter of a publisher, a year later. Their seven children included Matthäus Merian the Younger (1621–87), who also became an engraver like his father, as well as a portrait painter. After the death of Maria, he was remarried to Johanna Catharina Hein in 1646, having two children including Anna Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717), who was a pioneer of naturalism and the creation of scientifically accurate illustrations. Merian’s Bible was published in 1630 by the heirs of Lazarus Zetzner (1551–1616), who established a prominent printing house in Strasbourg.
Colored Copperplates of the New Testament
The text of the New Testament, printed in an elegant Fraktur script, is adorned with 77 colored copperplates, considered by art historians to be some of the finest ever created. The gilt-edged pages of the codex are contained in a hard leather binding with gold embossing, metal clasps, and corner fittings. Merian stands out as one of the greatest representatives of the new graphic arts made possible by the printing press. His engravings stand out for their combination of detail, subtlety, and liveliness, making this one of the most fascinating specimens of a printed Bible from the 17th century.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Matthäus Merian: Kupferbibel Biblia 1630 - Neues Testament
Merian-Bibel 1630
Die Matthäus Merian Kupferbibel 1630 - Size / Format
- 336 pages / 43.0 × 30.0 cm
- Origin
- France
- Date
- 1630
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 77 coloured copper engravings, title page with gold
- Content
- New Testament with copperplates by Matthew Merian
- Artist / School
- Matthew Merian (1593–1650)
Lazarus Zetzner (publisher)
Matthew Merian's Bible of 1630 - New Testament
Title Page
This spectacular colored engraving encompasses various biblical themes. Jesus is in the foreground giving communion to the faithful, seen on the left, while being rebuffed by the Pharisees, who walk off to the right. The inscriptions, beginning with the altar, read: “The New Testament translated into German by Martin Luther. With copperplates” and “Strasbourg. Published 1630 by the blessed heirs of Lazarus Zetzner”.
A dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit is brilliantly highlighted by gold leaf and appears in between the image of Christ and the Hebrew word “Yahweh”. A magnificent landscape unfolds with the Israelites in the desert on the left, having just escaped Egypt, while Jonas is being swallowed by a great fish in the sea to the right.

#1 Matthäus Merian: Kupferbibel Biblia 1630 - Neues Testament (Gilt Edges Edition)
Languages: German
#2 Matthäus Merian: Kupferbibel Biblia 1630 - Neues Testament (Top Gilt Edition)
Languages: German
#3 Matthäus Merian: Kupferbibel Biblia 1630 - Neues Testament (Limited Edition)
Languages: German
#4 Die Kupferbibel Matthäus Merians von 1630
Languages: German
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