Wolfram von Eschenbach - Parzival

Wolfram von Eschenbach - Parzival – Müller & Schindler – Cgm 19 – Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)

Probably Swabia (Germany) — Around 1240

Wolfram von Eschenbach's magnum opus: magnificent miniatures show Parzival and his half brother in the 25,000 verses of his chivalric epic

  1. This precious manuscript contains an early transcript of the magnum opus by Wolfram von Eschenbach (ca. 1160/80 - ca. 1220)

  2. The epic poem based on Arthurian legends is wonderfully illustrated with various chivalric scenes

  3. Parzival and his half-brother Feirefiz are depicted in battle amidst other figures, at a feast, or during baptism

Wolfram von Eschenbach - Parzival

  1. Description
  2. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Wolfram von Eschenbach - Parzival

This precious manuscript contains a very early transcript of the Middle High German tale in verse of Parzival. This famous magnum opus by the poet Wolfram von Eschenbach is a unique testimonial to German literature ca. 1200. What make the manuscript additionally special is the four miniature pages with 12 illustrating scenes from the text altogether. A golden opportunity to discover and explore this important chapter of literary and linguistic history first hand!

Parzival

Feasts at long tables, armored knights on noble steeds in battle or riding before a city, and crowned heads at the court of King Arthur – these motifs make up the subject matter that is encompassed in the magnificent miniatures of the Munich Parzival manuscript. In doing so, they illustrate the Middle High German poem by the famous Wolfram von Eschenbach in a wonderful way. With the Parzival, he wrote an epic poem about the Arthurian legends between 1200 and 1210 divided into 16 books. Alongside the Willehalm, this 25,000 verse story is the famous poet’s primary work.

An Outstanding Evidential Text

This noteworthy manuscript already originated in the years between 1228 and 1236 in Strasbourg shortly after the completion of the text by Wolfram von Eschenbach. Aside from the Parzival, it additionally contains the Titurel fragments and two rare aubades. Among the altogether 84 surviving manuscripts and fragments of the Parzival, one has assumed a pre-eminent positon and is considered among researchers to be the authoritative reference manuscript. Six scribes worked on the manuscript, whose popularity and frequent use can be attested to by its numerous signs of wear.

Four Special Image Pages

The manuscript with the shelf mark Cgm 19 in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek in Munich boasts an additional special feature with its four-page miniature sheet (49r, 49v, 50r, and 50v). These miniature pages present 12 pictures altogether in blocks of three image strips on top of one another respectively. Brightly colored scenes set against blue, green, and gold backgrounds stretch out in an ochre yellow frame. The primary characters are identified with banderoles. Parzival and his half-brother Feirefiz are in battle amidst other figures, at a feast, or depicted during baptism. As a result, these miniatures give an overview of a few passages of the tale in verse and make the manuscript an art-historically significant 13th century artifact!

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Parzival, Titurel, Tagelieder
Wolfram von Eschenbach - Parzival Titurel Tagelieder
Parzival
Size / Format
75 folios / 30.0 × 21.0 cm
Origin
Germany
Date
Around 1240
Style
Language

Available facsimile editions:
Wolfram von Eschenbach - Parzival – Müller & Schindler – Cgm 19 – Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)
Müller & Schindler – Stuttgart, 1970
Limited Edition: 850 copies
Facsimile Editions

#1 Parzival, Titurel, Tagelieder

Müller & Schindler – Stuttgart, 1970

Publisher: Müller & Schindler – Stuttgart, 1970
Limited Edition: 850 copies
Commentary: 1 volume by Gerhard Augst, Otfried Ehrismann, Heinz Engels and Fridolin Dreßler
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.
Price Category: € (under 1,000€)
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