Deo gratias alleluya." This
was in 1456, the year before the first press was set up. In 1524 we have
two most splendidly illuminated MSS.--a Missal and a Prayer-book--executed by order of Albert of Brandenburg, Archbishop of
Mainz. Two richer examples of the German Renaissance cannot easily be
imagined. We cannot dilate upon them. We may, however, truly say that
together with very many other examples of illuminated work, both in
manuscripts and printed books, they show the art of the illuminator to be
no less splendid or elaborate after the invention of printing than it
was before.
On the last page of the Missal is written: "Ich Niklas Glockendon zu
Nurenberg hab dieses Bhuch illuminiert ond vollent im jar 1524."
The Prayer-book is similarly adorned with miniatures and brightly
coloured borders. On the cover is a copy of the Archbishop's portrait,
painted by D?rer, and on folio 1 is written by the Archbishop himself:
"Anno domini MDXXXI completum est presens opus, Sabbato post
'Invocavit.' Albertus Cardinalis moguntinus manu propria scripsit."
Other Glockendon books exist in other libraries. Then there is the Beham
Prayer-book at Aschaffenburg and a Bible in the library at Wolfenb?ttel
in two thick 4° volumes--a work well worth examination.
Pages:
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