The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas

The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas – Belser Verlag – Clm 826 – Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)

Bohemia (Czech Republic) β€” 1400

Created at the magnificent court of King Wenceslas IV in Prague as a synthesis of science, mythology, and art: a fascinating illuminated manuscript dedicated to astronomy and astrology in artistic perfection

  1. Wenceslas IV (1361–1419) was King of Bohemia and uncrowned Holy Roman Emperor

  2. Although his rule was troubled, Wenceslas cultivated a learned court and was a patron of the arts

  3. This splendid manuscript reflects not only his tastes as a patron, but the contemporary state of European stargazing

The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas

The Astronomical-Astrological Codex of King Wenceslas is considered a a highly artistic gem of Gothic illumination and was created at the magnificent court of King Wenceslas IV of Bohemia (1361–1419), the uncrowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. This extraordinary manuscript was written by Wenceslas' court astronomer Terzysko, who also incorporated ancient Hebrew and Persian treatises from antiquity and the Middle Ages into it. A total of 55 miniatures, 7 astrological figures, 3 gold initials, 114 opaque initials and 19 historiated initials describe the workings of the celestial bodies and impress with their extremely fine execution, their refined coloring, and the rich use of gold leaf and brush gold. Thus, the large-format manuscript, made for the king's personal use, testifies to the rich artistic culture that Wenceslas cultivated at his court in Prague and that attracted many outstanding artists of his time.

The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslaus

As the fortunes of the Kingdom of Bohemia rose within the Holy Roman Empire, the court at Prague became one of the most magnificent in Europe and the city itself became an important center of art and learning, which attracted artists and intellectuals from across the world. The masterpiece of Gothic illumination at hand originated shortly after the year 1400 at the behest of Wenceslaus IV (1361–1419), King of Bohemia and uncrowned Holy Roman Emperor, for his own personal use. It was created by a team of artists in the so-called Wenceslaus workshops under the direction of his court astronomer Terzysko. One of the finest specimens of the International Gothic style is presented in masterful detail, right down to the backgrounds – some splendidly patterned, others glimmering with gold leaf. Although his rule was contentious and uncertain, Wenceslaus was a learned man who patronized many splendid manuscripts including the famous Wenceslas Bible. He created an artistic haven at his court that attracted some of the best artists from across the Holy Roman Empire and Europe as a whole.

A Bohemian Masterpiece

Although considerably more secular in nature, The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslaus is also a masterpiece of Gothic illumination with incredibly lifelike human and animal figures including bathing maidens, an artistic motif closely associated with the King that also appears in his famous Bible. The 106-page manuscript is an outstanding testimony of the golden age of illumination in Prague ca. 1400 and measures an impress 450 x 320 mm. The academic text is a Latin translation of Arabic and Hebrew texts adorned by 55 miniatures, 7 astrological figures, 3 gold initials, 114 opaque initials, and 19 historicized initials altogether – illumination truly worthy of a king. The famous miniatures are a fine contribution to the tradition established by Al-Sufi (903–986) in his Book of Fixed Stars and carried on by numerous other splendid illustrations. This Bohemian manuscript is a fascinating compendium of astronomical-astrological knowledge, complete with various depictions and interpretations of the stars from the most famous astronomers and astrologers of antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
The Astronomical-Astrological Codex of King Wenceslas
Der astronomisch-astrologische Codex KΓΆnig Wenzels IV. von BΓΆhmen
Astronomisch-astrologischer Codex KΓΆnigs Wenzels
Astrologische Handschrift fΓΌr KΓΆnig Wenzel IV. von BΓΆhmen
Size / Format
106 pages / 45.0 Γ— 32.0 cm
Date
1400
Style
Language
Script
Gothic Textura
Illustrations
55 miniatures, 7 astrological figures, 3 gold initials, 19 historiated initials, 114 opaque initials
Content
Representation of the astronomical-astrological knowledge of his time with star interpretations of the best known astronomers and astrologers up to 1400. The Codex also contains a catalog of fixed stars according to Al-Sufi.
Patron
King Wencelslaus IV of Bohemia
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas – Belser Verlag – Clm 826 – Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)
Belser Verlag – Stuttgart, 2018
Limited Edition: 999 copies
Detail Picture

The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas

Patron Portrait

This magnificent historiated initial shows King Wenceslas in his study seated before a desk and writing on a blackboard placed upon an open book – he may be doing arithmetic. The King is depicted as an older, balding man with a long white beard and is dressed in a flowing red robe with an ermine collar. An architectural element in the background creates a sense of spatiality in the scene and sticks out against the blue sky filled with gold stars, even protruding from the frame itself.

The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas – Belser Verlag – Clm 826 – Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)
Single Page

The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas

Planetary Aspects and Houses

At the top of the page, four columns detail the aspects, effects, and strengths of the seven planets, which are shown with their symbols in blue ink, and clarify which planets β€œget along” with each other and which do not. The elaborate circular table below presents the twelve signs of the zodiac in artful, detailed miniatures with gold leaf backgrounds.

The Sun is presented in the center with golden rays and eight pointing fingers as part of a moveable volvella and is surrounded by geometric shapes. It is surrounded by two concentric circles with information concerning the planets and their relation to each astrological house. Created with silver leaf, each Moon and some stars have tarnished and turned black with time.

The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas – Belser Verlag – Clm 826 – Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Der astronomisch-astrologische Codex KΓΆnig Wenzels

Belser Verlag – Stuttgart, 2018

Publisher: Belser Verlag – Stuttgart, 2018
Limited Edition: 999 copies
Binding: Blindfolded white leather cover with 8 corner fittings. Green Box.
Commentary: 1 volume (128 pages) by Maria Theisen
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.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
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