German Prayer Book of the Margravine of Brandenburg (Das Deutsche Gebetbuch Der Markgrafin Von Brandenburg) Fine Facsimile Illuminated Edition of 16th Century

      Faksimile Verlag Luzern. New German Prayer Book of the Margravine of Brandenburg, 16th century-Badische Landesbibliothek, Karlsruhe, Hs. Durlach 2A festive firework display of gold and colour An example from the heyday of late Gothic book illumination from Southern Germany In the year 1520, in the middle of the turbulent times of Renaissance and Humanism, an ornate, yet highly intimate prayer book in the German language was produced in Augsburg. The town, then under the Fugger dynasty, was not only an important place of commerce and finance, but also one of the major centres of German book illumination. The book was commissioned by Kasimir, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach and his wife, Susanna of Bavaria, whose portraits and coats-of-arms both decorate the manuscript. Margravine Susanna was the niece of Emperor Maximilian, a generous patron of the arts throughout his life. He commissioned work from some of the greatest European painters, such as Dürer, Cranach and Holbein. Fireworks of gold and colourThis extraordinary prayer book was presumably ordered on the occasion of the marriage celebrations for Kasimir and Susanna during the 1518 Imperial Diet at Augsburg where Emperor Maximilan himself gave away the bride. Painted pages radiating with precious colours, opulent border decorations against a bright gold background and various ornamented initials in gold covering several lines against a red or blue background set ablaze a true firework display of gold and other colours on the 189 sheets of the book. However, the manuscript does not capture the eye merely through the extravagant richness of design; rather, this effect is more so achieved by its very personal charm. Although made for a princess, the prayer book intrigues the reader by an abundance of endearing detail taken from the private living circumstances of Susanna; it could only have been carried out in this way upon her direct wish. Susanna's living world in her prayer bookThe multi-faceted design of this prayer book reveals a...