Shortly before this time were produced several examples of
German work; as, for instance, the "Minnelieder," with more than a
hundred miniatures of hunting scenes and similar outdoor amusements,
which are useful as studies of costume, but otherwise of little
interest. But it is not until 1312--the new King being then, for the
sake of acquiring the crown, though only, it is said, thirteen years of
age, already the husband of the Princess Elizabeth, the late King's
second daughter, yet neither a favourite with his wife nor with her
father's people--that the Abbess of St. George's in Prag, the Princess
Cunigunda, composed a Passionale, richly illustrated with interesting
miniatures. The saints, histories, and allegories are painted in tender
water-colours, the architectural details being in Gothic taste. It is
still preserved in the University Library at Prag, No. xiv., A. 17.[48]
The Emperor Charles IV., son of the valorous but impracticable John
(born 1316, died 1378), and who has already been spoken of in connection
with English illumination, was the founder of the Bohemian school, or,
rather, of the school of Prag. Owing probably his fine tastes and many
accomplishments rather to his mother than his father, he devoted himself
to art and literature, inviting painters and scholars from other
countries to reside in the Bohemian capital.
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