Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin)

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible

A milestone in the history of book art: one of the most valuable early printings of the Bible, which Johannes Gutenberg printed in his Mainz workshop. The inventor of book printing produced a short print-run of bibles as a testimony to this new and groundbreaking technology. These valuable prints could be individually decorated by artists according to the wishes of their respective buyers, which in turn yielded some precious unique specimens. One of these precious and exceedingly rare specimens of the Gutenberg Bible is stored in the Berlin State Library and counts among the most precious books of the collection!

A True Rarity in Outstanding Quality

“One of the earliest testimonies of the art of printing,” “one of the most artistically accomplished prints of the 15th century,” and other superlatives are only a few of the catchphrases that are associated with this book. Johannes Gutenberg is considered to be the inventor of modern book printing with moveable metal type and the printing press. In 1435, as the first evidence of his invention, he produced a short print-run of only 45 vellum and 135 paper editions of the Bible in his Mainz workshop. The 42-lined bible in Berlin is considered to be the most beautiful specimen of these Gutenberg bibles.

Printed and Illuminated

The printed Gutenberg Bible was already very expensive at the time of its creations was a collector’s piece for only the wealthiest buyers. These printed books could subsequently be put into the hands of artist, who then furnished them according to individual wishes. In this way, some wonderfully unique specimens furnished with bright colors and splendid gold came into being. Lovingly-produced illustrations, both entertaining and suitable, adorn these bibles.

A Gem of the Berlin Collection

The Berlin specimen of the Gutenberg Bible contains roughly 100 gorgeously colored miniatures. These are attributed to the so-called Pfauenwerkstatt or “peacock workshop”, an illuminator’s studio that was active in Leipzig during the mid–15th century. Additionally, one finds initials, flowering tendrils, embellishing ornamentation, and small animals – e.g. a splendid peacock, a cheeky sparrow, and buzzing dragonflies. The book and its decoration are oriented on the great models of illumination! This precious early print of the historic masterpiece of Johannes Gutenberg combines two special features in this way: the outstanding significance as an incunabula from the early period of book printing between 1450 and 1500, and the reminder of its marriage with illumination. It is no wonder that the Gutenberg Bible is considered to be one of the most important pieces of the Berlin collection!