Velislav's Bible

Velislai Biblia Picta

The Velislai Biblia Picta is a masterfully designed picture Bible created at the beginning of a golden age of illumination in Prague. It is named after its patron, Velislav the Canon (ca. 1300–67), who is depicted kneeling before a statue of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Although it does not assume the typical form a Biblia pauperum being more sophisticated and having more images, the manuscript is generally considered as such. Some art historians have referred to it as a “medieval comic book” because of its image-forward design with captions and occasionally names of characters.
Its contents comprise the books of Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, Judges, Judith, and the Book of Revelations as well as various cycles concerning Christ, the Antichrist, and the lives of St. Wenceslas and St. Ludmila of Bohemia. The fact that most of the manuscript remained uncolored allows us to observe the fine pen strokes from the skillful hands of the master illuminators who drew them. Their sophisticated design of the miniatures already exhibits some of the characteristics of the nascent International Gothic style, especially the elegance of the figures and more realistic depiction of animals.

The Roots of Czech Nationality and Culture

The reigns of King John I of Bohemia (1296–1346) and especially that of his son Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV (1316–78) were important for Czech political and cultural history and represent a period of prosperity as Prague became the imperial capital. The reign of Charles IV marks the first flowering of book art in Prague as illuminators from across Europe were attracted by the Emperor’s reputation as a patron of the arts who funded the construction of the iconic Charles University, Charles Bridge, Charles Square, Prague Castle, and St. Vitus Cathedral. Prague became one of the places where the International Gothic or Soft Style, which blended aspects of various national artistic styles to create a style of courtly sophistication, first emerged. Thus, Charles IV is not only the Pater Patriae of the modern Czech Republic, but a significant figure of art history as well.