Bestiary of Oxford - Ed Adeva

Definition Bestiary: Medieval bestiaries were treated teaching on the allegorical, religious and moral significance of animals mentioned in the Bible, are an attempt to bring into harmony the idea of God the Creator with his creation of Nature and convey the idea that knowing the natural world is a way of praising the Creator through his work

The Bestiary were distinctly Christian works with a moral message about life, work, service to God and death. Somehow, modern fable with its moral stories relayed through animal figures, are heirs of the medieval bestiary

This manuscript, the Bestiary of Oxford, which includes the properties of real and mythical animals, is an important document to reveal the knowledge of the time and the evolution of the concept of own world of the Middle Ages. Reflects changes of thought versus symbolism and allegory in relation to the surrounding world, the variations in curriculum and moral concepts and the growing interest in the natural sciences. We speak of the XII century, coinciding with the consolidation of the Gothic style in art.

The manuscript in question is a deluxe edition, with a profusion of gold and high artistic qualities clearly visible in the fineness of the drawings and the selection of colors. The funny Byzantine style to which they refer as fall within the tradition of English miniature. The inset of Figure comes in a square of Romanesque art, but the stylization of the figures and place us in the Gothic. The splendor of gold funds contributes to the preciousness of the manuscript

In the late twelfth century, in the late Romanesque became the rage in educated circles in England a new genre of books: the bestiary, profusely illustrated book of animals and based on biblical references and relevant ideas. The text accompanying the illustrations and faithfully explains the characteristics and peculiarities of animals, among which quite often include fabulous beings.

Among the many manuscripts, which is currently stored in Oxford is one of the oldest and most beautiful. The Oxford codex is lavishly decorated with gold leaf and includes magnificent representations of animals, plants and men, which are characterized by a bright gouache and a clear, calm and symmetrically balanced with a bright colorful composition. Virtually no other bestiary has such a wide repertoire of examples. In addition the chapter thumbnails of the book reproduced in oversized versions vividly descriptive and eight scenes from Genesis.

As unknown as the specific place of origin is the donor of the manuscript, made circa 1210 by anonymous artists. However, its luxurious presentation, specifically its waste of gold and silver suggest a high personality as the recipient of this gem. The Romanesque leather binding is currently in the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek in Vienna.

Detail of the exterior of both books, study and facsimile.

More details inside the facsimile.

Folio, 2 vols, 104 sheets printed on parchment, Gothic typeface, 131 gouache on gold recorded six full-page decorated capitals,. Issue # 25 of an edition of 495. Full leather, spine gilt decorated with drawings and figures, is attached with a volume of comments of the work, 172 p, editorial material.. Case in fabric. Superb editing a manuscript collection alchemist and astrologer Freemason Elias Ashmole (1617-1692), preserved in the Bodleian Library Oxford

The work is a didactic treatise on the allegorical, religious and moral significance of animals mentioned in the Bible and has a double meaning: shows knowledge of nature as a way to approach God, and is a hymn of praise to the Creator. Facsimiles. Bibliophile. Moral literature. Zoology. Natural sciences. Facsimile. Bibliophilism. Moral literature. Zoology. Natural sciences. No. ref. Bookseller C14N98

Printed in Gothic script and regulate uniform with red and blue filigree case of modest dimensions, six leaves adorned with spectacular full-page miniatures, all on gold, among which the image of Christ or God the Creator, and beautiful of 131 recorded with polychrome figures of animals, all equally on gold, showing a good knowledge of the natural sciences.

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Format 276 x 183 mm

Extension 122 sheets

Latin language

Lighting 129 thumbnails on golden background

Location, symbol Oxford, Bodleian Library, Ms. Ashmole 1511Facsimile ADEVA, Graz / Club du Livre, Paris / Art and Bibliophile, Madrid, 1982

  Number 434 deu na single roll reduced to only 495 copies

PRICE: 2000 €

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