Munich Wondrous Occurrences

Franciscus de Retza (c. 1343–1427) wrote this defense to refute the arguments of those who denied the virginity of Mary
The theological treatise was printed in Nördlingen in 1470 as a block book with 59 woodcut illustrations
Friedrich Walther and Hans Hürning were probably responsible for the expressive illustrations

Munich Wondrous Occurrences

Xylogr. 34 Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)

Description

Munich Wondrous Occurrences

The Munich State Library preserves a wonderfully illustrated block book of Franciscus de Retza's or Franz von Retz's (c. 1343–1427) Defensorium inviolatae virginitatis beatae Mariae. Fifty-nine images accompany the defense treatise by the Dominican friar, theologian, and inquisitor, in which he refutes the arguments of those who questioned Mary's virginity at the time. Various stories from the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and ancient mythology, as well as the behavior of animals, are therefore referred to and visualized in small-format woodcut scenes. Each of the eight double pages was printed with only one l rge woodblock. They were then carefully colored by hand, mainly using red, minium, green, and ochre. This valuable block book, created in Nördlingen in 1470, was probably the work of the painter and illustrator Friedrich Walther together with the carpenter and xylograph Hans Hürning.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Von wundersamen Begebenheiten - Codex München
Defensorium immaculatae virginitatis
Type: Printed book on paper
Size / Format: 16 pages / 29.0 × 19.6 cm
Origin: Germany
Date: 1470
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Gothic
Early Prints
Genre: Other Religious Books
Language: Latin
Script: Littera bastarda
Illustrations: 59 images
Content: Defensorium inviolatae virginitatis beatae Mariae
Artist / School: Franciscus de Retza (author)
Friedrich Walther (artist)
Hans Hürning (artist)
Previous Owners: Rott Abbey (?)
University Library Landshut

Available facsimile editions:

Insel Verlag – Frankfurt, 1925

Limited Edition: 100 copies

Insel Verlag – Frankfurt, 1925

Limited Edition: 500 copies

Facsimile Editions

#1 Defensorium immaculatae virginitatis (Luxury edition)

Insel Verlag – Frankfurt, 1925

Publisher: Insel Verlag – Frankfurt, 1925

Limited Edition: 100 copies

Binding: Parchment

Commentary: 1 volume by Kurt Pfister
Language: German

Facsimile Copy Available!

Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

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#2 Defensorium immaculatae virginitatis

Insel Verlag – Frankfurt, 1925

Publisher: Insel Verlag – Frankfurt, 1925

Limited Edition: 500 copies

Commentary: 1 volume by Kurt Pfister
Language: German

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Munich Wondrous Occurrences