Vienna Biblia Pauperum

Created in the 1130’s the manuscript follows the typical iconographic program of the genre
“Types” from the Old Testament are interpreted as anticipating scenes from the life of Christ
All the miniatures consist of two central medallions surrounded by four pictures groups

Vienna Biblia Pauperum

Codex Vindobonensis 1198 Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)

Description

Vienna Biblia Pauperum

This manuscript created in the 1130’s follows the typical iconographic program of a Biblia Pauperum or “Paupers’ Bible” consisting of typological groups of images from the Old and New Testaments. In the medieval tradition, so-called “types” from the Old Testament were interpreted as anticipating scenes from the life of Christ. However, the style of these images was influenced both by the Klosterneuburg tradition of the two-volume Bible and various architectural set pieces, such as the thrones of Elijah and Nebuchadnezzar. The facial expressions of the figures are expressive and almost caricature-like and their dramatic gestures psychologically penetrate the scenic events. Each of the 17 full-page miniatures consists of two central medallions surrounded by four picture groups with the figures dressed in the style of the early-12th century.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Wiener Biblia Pauperum
Codex Vindobonensis 1198
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 9 leaves / 36.4 × 25.1 cm
Origin: Austria
Date: Ca. 1130
Epochs: High Middle Ages
Style: Romanesque
Genre: Bibles / Gospels
Language: Latin
Script: Gothic

Available facsimile editions:

Facsimile Editions

#1 Die Wiener Biblia Pauperum

Verlag Styria – Graz/Vienna/Cologne, 1962

Publisher: Verlag Styria – Graz/Vienna/Cologne, 1962

Limited Edition: 550 copies

Commentary: 1 volume by Gerhard Schmidt and Franz Unterkircher
Language: German

1 volume: This facsimile is not complete. Facsimile and commentary are housed in one volume in this edition, with the commentary printed in a separate section. Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The pages are represented on a larger white background. The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.

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Vienna Biblia Pauperum