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Leben der Heiligen
Passional, das ist, Der Heyligen Leben
The Golden Legend
Der Heiligen Leben (Lives of the Saints)
Leben der Heiligen
Passional, das ist, Der Heyligen Leben
The Golden Legend
Author: Jacobus de Voragine (about 1229–1298)
Illustrated by: Unidentified artist, German, 15th century
Printer and Publisher: Anton Koberger (German, about 1440–1513)
Illustrated by: Unidentified artist, German, 15th century
Printer and Publisher: Anton Koberger (German, about 1440–1513)
1488
Place of Publication: Nuremberg, Germany
Medium/Technique
Illustrated book containing 261 woodcuts
Dimensions
Overall: 39.5 x 27 x 9 cm (15 9/16 x 10 5/8 x 3 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Maria Antoinette Evans Fund
Accession Number31.1402
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsIllustrated books
Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 5 December 1488
Catalogue Raisonné
Goff J-168; Schreiber, Manuel, 4313; BMC II 433; Murray, German, 433 (this copy)
Description(Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 5 December 1488) Folio; 387 leaves; blind-stamped pigskin binding signed and dated 1562, brass clamps; rust cloth box.
German translation of Legenda Aurea (Golden Legend), a compilation of the lives of the saints, legends of the Virgin and other narratives relating to the Church's feast days, arranged in the order of the Church calendar, starting with Advent (Hall, Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols). Numerous editions in various languages were printed in the fifteenth century. This edition is the only illustrated edition printed by Koberger. Colophon in uncorrected state (see BMC). Woodcuts uncolored in this copy; initials to Sommerteil and Winterteil are illuminated. Folio 379 (dd1) inserted from another copy.
German translation of Legenda Aurea (Golden Legend), a compilation of the lives of the saints, legends of the Virgin and other narratives relating to the Church's feast days, arranged in the order of the Church calendar, starting with Advent (Hall, Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols). Numerous editions in various languages were printed in the fifteenth century. This edition is the only illustrated edition printed by Koberger. Colophon in uncorrected state (see BMC). Woodcuts uncolored in this copy; initials to Sommerteil and Winterteil are illuminated. Folio 379 (dd1) inserted from another copy.
ProvenanceEarly ownership inscriptions "M.A.H." and from the convent of Heidenfeld in Bavaria, near Würzburg; William Morris (1834-1896, London, English artist, craftsman, calligrapher, theoretician); Charles Fairfax Murray (1849-1919; his German cat. 433); Edouard Rahir (1862-1924), from whose sale, Paris, lot 318, purchased by MFA, May 1931.