![PRAYERBOOK [BETBÜCHLEIN] OF GRÄFIN DOROTHEA VON MANSFELD. In German. ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1995/CKS/1995_CKS_05424_0026_000(103221).jpg?w=1)
Details
PRAYERBOOK [BETBÜCHLEIN] OF GRÄFIN DOROTHEA VON MANSFELD. In German. ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM
[Southern Germany, 1551].
205x150mm. 128 leaves + contemporary vellum flyleaf, COMPLETE, Collation: 1-24 36 4-184 194+1 (19.1 insert) 20-244 252+1 (25.1 insert) 26-314 322, (ff 16.1 and 4 shorter and slightly extended in lower margin). 21 lines, justification: 152x102mm, written in brown ink in a fine upright German gotico-antiqua (fraktur) text hand, headings in red, decorative paraphs in ink at head and foot of each page (those at head and a few at foot cropped). 135 illuminated initials, one- and two line, in gold on blue, red or green ground, one large initial (on f.9) of golden and coloured stylized birds and flowers, 30 LARGE MINIATURES. (First leaf slightly smudged). Late 18th-century red German morocco gilt, spine with raised bands in 6 compartments elaborately tooled, brown morocco lettering piece, edges gilt, gold floral endpapers. GENERALLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.
PROVENANCE:
(1) Text written by a scribe, who signs himself 'J.B.' on the last page. Below his initials he has dated the manuscript 1551.
(2) On folio 2, a full-page miniature with the arms of Solms and Mansfeld, confirming that the manuscript was made for Gräfin Dorothea von Mansfeld (c.1493-1578). She appears in the final miniature on f.114. She was the daughter of Graf Philipp zu Solms (1486-1544) and the second wife of Graf Ernst II von Mansfeld (1479-1535), whom she married in 1512. He seems to have had an imperial monopoly for the copper trade and received many privileges from the Emperor Maximilian I. He was active in suppressing the revolt in the Peasant's Wars and Thomas Müntzer wrote a famous pamphlet attacking him in 1523. They had 13 children, the eldest son Peter Ernst I (1517-1604), Statthalter of Luxemburg, was raised to the rank of Prince (i.e. Reichsfürst) of Mansfeld and appointed a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1585. Dorothea died aged 96 at her castle Heldrungen, with a reputation for great piety and philanthropy. Cf. L.F. Niemann, Geschichte der Grafen von Mansfeld, (Aschersleben, 1834), pp 139-40.
(3) Magnus Haettiger? faded 18th-century signature on f.1
TEXT:
(f1) The title reads "Betbüchlein Viler schönen Andechtigen gebet durch einen Gelehrten außs heyliger Göttlicher Schrift zusammen getragen"; (ff 3-8) Calendar, double column, in red and black, the names of the months Latin and German in blue. The prayers begin with "Ein offne Beicht" (f.9) and include (ff 23v to 33) "Ein kurtze außslegung der zehen gebot in form eins gebets gestelt die mag man an stat einer Predig lesen und fürnemen"; (f.50v) "Das Vater Unser"; (f.59) "Ave Maria"; (f.63) "Bekantnus des Glaubens"; (f.67) "Ein gebet von der Aufsetzung des Sacraments" followed by other prayers when receiving the Holy Sacrament; (f.100) "Collect und gebet wider den Türcken"; (f.104) "Die acht versz S. Bernharts"; (f.108) "Ein gebet Salomonis"; (f.122) "Bekantnus oder Symbolum S. Athanasii"; (f.124v) "Bekantnus oder Symbolum Augustini".
ILLUMINATION:
The miniatures are clearly the work of a fine artist of the school of Sebald Beham. Two of them are signed 'S.G.' on the base. This might be Sebastian Glockendon, who was apparently active in the workshop of Nikolaus (d.1534) and from 1535 of Albrecht Glockendon (d.1545) in Nuremberg. Little is known about him, but he is known to have been one of the twelve sons of Nikolaus. After the death of Albrecht, he is recorded in 1557, to have been employed by Ottheinrich, prince elector of the Palatinate (1556-59). Cf. Barbara Daentler, Die Buchmalerei Albrecht Glockendons und die Rahmengestaltung der Dürernachfolge. Munich 1984, who cites Ottheinrich's 'Inventarium über mein gnedigsten H. Schreibstuben zu Nürnberg anno 1557'. It seems strange however, that a Nuremberg artist as skilled as the painter of the miniatures in the present volume, should only have been mentioned as 'Probierer' by Johann Neudörfer of Nuremberg, in his Nachrichten von Künstlern und Werkleuten daselbst aus dem Jahre 1547. Edited G.W.K.Lochner, Wien 1875, (p.143)
The miniatures, mostly 107x92mm, are rectangular, and the images are framed between ornamental renaissance-style dark pink pillars, mostly arched and profiled with gold. This method of composition had been used by Albrecht Glockendon. Some of the iconography is unusual for a prayerbook, particularly the miniatures illustrating the Ten Commandments. It is typical of the Glockendon workshop that many of the images are derivative from Duerer and other 16th century artists. The style is in many ways similar to Albrecht Glockendon's Prayerbook for Herzog Wilhelm IV of Bavaria (Vienna, Nationalbibliothek, no.1880, Denis II 917). The secular figures here appear in the characteristic South-German dress of the first half of the 16th century and follow the usual occupations of the period. Also striking is the fine depiction of landscape.
The subjects of the miniatures comprise four main groups, (i) the Articles of Faith, folios 20 to 22; (ii) the Ten Commandments, folios 25 to 33; (iii) the Lord's Prayer, folios 51 to 59; (iv) the Sacraments with prayers to the Trinity, folios 68 to 77. A number of these derive from Hans Brosamer's illustrations to Luther's Catechism Catechismus für die gemeine Pfarrherr und Prediger, Frankfurt, Weygand Han, 1550. They are identified with their reference in Hollstein German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts vol.IV, p.244
THE SUBJECTS OF THE MINIATURES ARE:
folio 1. The title: Crucifixion. Christ crucified between the two thieves. The three Maries, St.John and another saint grieving; two men on horseback watching. The composition is closely based on a print by Duerer [Bartsch 59]. The verso is blank. (This is the only page that is slightly smudged)
folio 2. The armorial shields of the families of Solms and Mansfeld on purple ground. In the upper corners two small roundels containing grisaille knights on horseback. Signed S.G. in lower right hand corner. The verso is blank
folio 20. God in heaven on a cloud in flowing robes, creating the world, depicted as a circular landscape with animals. Headed "Ich glaub in Got Vater Almechtigen Schöpffer himels und der Erden".
folio 21. The Crucifixion. Mary and St.John standing by the side of the Cross. The second part of the Confession of Faith.
folio 22. Pentecost. Mary seated reading a book, surrounded by the Apostles who are looking up to the descent of the Holy Ghost. The third part of the Confession of Faith. 'Ich glaub in den heiligen Geist'. This derives from Brosamer: H 366
folio 25. Moses receiving the Tablets from God on top of a mountain. Below a group of Israelites dancing, adoring the Golden Calf. This illustrates the First Commandment 'Du sollt nicht frembde Götter ehren noch anbeten'. This derives from Brosamer, H.354
folio 26. Two men playing dice, one evidently swearing is pointing at the figure of Christ on the Cross. One of the men seems to be a woodcutter with an axe, carrying on his back a basket of cut branches, the other a soldier. In the background a large shop selling rolls of cloth, and wool in bags. The merchant, with fingers pointing towards heaven talking to a man carrying a sword. Illustrating the second Commandment 'Du solt den Namen des Herren deines Gottes nicht unnutzlich üppig oder verachlich füren unnd nennen'.
folio 27. A preacher in church before a large congregation. Beneath the pulpit, seated on a stool, a young woman, bareheaded and in gaudy clothes. This illustrates the third Commandment 'Gedenck des Sabbats, das du ihme heiligest'.
folio 28. 'Noah and his sons'. An old man apparently drunk, lying against a rock asleep. He is surrounded by three boys mocking him, one lifting the man's coat and exposing his naked thighs, another covering his eyes. Illustrating the fourth Commandment 'Du solt dein Vater und Muter ehrn'. This derives from Brosamer, H.357.
folio 29. Cain slaying Abel with the jawbone of an ass. At back an altar with a flame. Illustrating the fifth Commandment 'Du solt nicht Tödten'. This derives from Brosamer, H.358.
folio 30. David on a balcony watching Bathsheba in the bath below. Illustrating the sixth Commandment 'Du solt nit Ehbrechen noch unkeusch treiben'.
folio 31. 'Achan's theft'. Two men stealing a treasure chest, digging it up beneath a luxurious tent, while a festive party celebrates in another tent. Illustrating the seventh Commandment 'Du solt nicht Stehlen'. This derives from Brosamer, H.360
folio 32. A nobleman accusing an artisan carrying a hammer, before a seated judge. Illustrating the eighth Commandment 'Du solt nicht falsche zeugknus geben wider deiñ nechstn'.
folio 33. A young man talking to an older man, perhaps a lawyer?, seated at a table with accounts and pointing behind him. Through a large window a field, a house and a church, with a man and woman and cattle. Illustrating the ninth and tenth Commandments. 'Du solt deines nechsten Haus nit begern' and 'Du solt nicht begern deines nechst Gemahels Magd, Knecht, Vihe oder was sein ist'.
folio 51. The adoration of Christ by a group of kneeling and praying men. The beginning of the Lord's prayer. 'Vater Unser ... Geheiligt werd dein Nam'.
folio 52. A priest preaching in church. The woman shown sitting below the pulpit on folio 27, is now part of the congregation. Beneath the pulpit a white dog. 'Zukomme dein Reich'.
folio 53. A priest preaching in church. A boy pointing at a woman seated in the centre (possibly the patron?). 'Dein Wil geschehe auf Erden wir im Hymel'. This is a similar composition to Brosamer's portrait of Luther preaching, H.377
folio 54. Christ on the road to Calvary. He is carrying the Cross, surrounded at one side by soldiers, at the other by the three Maries and St.John.
folio 55. The Feeding of the Five Thousand. Christ sitting on a hill passing loaves of bread to his disciples Philip and Andrew, who distribute them to the multitude below. In the background a man rolling four barrels. Headed 'Unser teglich brot gib uns heut'. Signed 'S.G.' on the base
folio 56. A borrower arguing with a moneylender. Below 'Vergib uns unser schuld wie wir vergeben unsern Schuldigern'.
folio 57. The resurrected Christ talking to the three Maries, two kneeling before him, the third stands behind them, in a doorway, her hands on their shoulders. Behind him two men, one presumably Joseph of Arimathea, the other Nicodemus, with John the Evangelist who appears to be admonishing them. Headed 'Nicht füre uns in versuchung' [Don't lead us into temptation].
folio 58. Christ's descent into Hell, holding the arm of one of the sinners. 'Sondern erlöse uns vom ubel'.
folio 59. The Annunciation in a gothic chamber, introducing the prayer to the Virgin. 'Ave Maria'.
folio 68. The Last Supper, Christ and the Apostles at a round table. The Sacraments. 'Nemet hin und esset das ist mein Leib'
folio 75. God creating the World. Similar to the Creation on folio 20. Introducing a prayer to God the Father, the first to the Trinity.
folio 76. The Crucifixion. Mary, Mary Magdalen and St.John below the Cross in a landscape of trees. 'Das Annder gebeth zu Got dem Sune'.
folio 77. The group of men at prayer before the Holy Ghost above. 'Das dritte Gebeth zu Got dem heiling geist'.
folio 112. God in Majesty on a rainbow in the clouds
folio 113. Christ crucified against the stems of a tree, the Virgin and St.John standing on branches at the foot of the Cross, within a jewelled rosary and a wreath, against a blue background with golden stars. 'Zu Got dem Sun'
folio 114. The patroness of this book kneeling in a landscape of rocks and trees, looking up to the Holy Ghost above. Introducing a prayer 'Zu Got dem Heiling Geyst'.
[Southern Germany, 1551].
205x150mm. 128 leaves + contemporary vellum flyleaf, COMPLETE, Collation: 1-24 36 4-184 194+1 (19.1 insert) 20-244 252+1 (25.1 insert) 26-314 322, (ff 16.1 and 4 shorter and slightly extended in lower margin). 21 lines, justification: 152x102mm, written in brown ink in a fine upright German gotico-antiqua (fraktur) text hand, headings in red, decorative paraphs in ink at head and foot of each page (those at head and a few at foot cropped). 135 illuminated initials, one- and two line, in gold on blue, red or green ground, one large initial (on f.9) of golden and coloured stylized birds and flowers, 30 LARGE MINIATURES. (First leaf slightly smudged). Late 18th-century red German morocco gilt, spine with raised bands in 6 compartments elaborately tooled, brown morocco lettering piece, edges gilt, gold floral endpapers. GENERALLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.
PROVENANCE:
(1) Text written by a scribe, who signs himself 'J.B.' on the last page. Below his initials he has dated the manuscript 1551.
(2) On folio 2, a full-page miniature with the arms of Solms and Mansfeld, confirming that the manuscript was made for Gräfin Dorothea von Mansfeld (c.1493-1578). She appears in the final miniature on f.114. She was the daughter of Graf Philipp zu Solms (1486-1544) and the second wife of Graf Ernst II von Mansfeld (1479-1535), whom she married in 1512. He seems to have had an imperial monopoly for the copper trade and received many privileges from the Emperor Maximilian I. He was active in suppressing the revolt in the Peasant's Wars and Thomas Müntzer wrote a famous pamphlet attacking him in 1523. They had 13 children, the eldest son Peter Ernst I (1517-1604), Statthalter of Luxemburg, was raised to the rank of Prince (i.e. Reichsfürst) of Mansfeld and appointed a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1585. Dorothea died aged 96 at her castle Heldrungen, with a reputation for great piety and philanthropy. Cf. L.F. Niemann, Geschichte der Grafen von Mansfeld, (Aschersleben, 1834), pp 139-40.
(3) Magnus Haettiger? faded 18th-century signature on f.1
TEXT:
(f1) The title reads "Betbüchlein Viler schönen Andechtigen gebet durch einen Gelehrten außs heyliger Göttlicher Schrift zusammen getragen"; (ff 3-8) Calendar, double column, in red and black, the names of the months Latin and German in blue. The prayers begin with "Ein offne Beicht" (f.9) and include (ff 23v to 33) "Ein kurtze außslegung der zehen gebot in form eins gebets gestelt die mag man an stat einer Predig lesen und fürnemen"; (f.50v) "Das Vater Unser"; (f.59) "Ave Maria"; (f.63) "Bekantnus des Glaubens"; (f.67) "Ein gebet von der Aufsetzung des Sacraments" followed by other prayers when receiving the Holy Sacrament; (f.100) "Collect und gebet wider den Türcken"; (f.104) "Die acht versz S. Bernharts"; (f.108) "Ein gebet Salomonis"; (f.122) "Bekantnus oder Symbolum S. Athanasii"; (f.124v) "Bekantnus oder Symbolum Augustini".
ILLUMINATION:
The miniatures are clearly the work of a fine artist of the school of Sebald Beham. Two of them are signed 'S.G.' on the base. This might be Sebastian Glockendon, who was apparently active in the workshop of Nikolaus (d.1534) and from 1535 of Albrecht Glockendon (d.1545) in Nuremberg. Little is known about him, but he is known to have been one of the twelve sons of Nikolaus. After the death of Albrecht, he is recorded in 1557, to have been employed by Ottheinrich, prince elector of the Palatinate (1556-59). Cf. Barbara Daentler, Die Buchmalerei Albrecht Glockendons und die Rahmengestaltung der Dürernachfolge. Munich 1984, who cites Ottheinrich's 'Inventarium über mein gnedigsten H. Schreibstuben zu Nürnberg anno 1557'. It seems strange however, that a Nuremberg artist as skilled as the painter of the miniatures in the present volume, should only have been mentioned as 'Probierer' by Johann Neudörfer of Nuremberg, in his Nachrichten von Künstlern und Werkleuten daselbst aus dem Jahre 1547. Edited G.W.K.Lochner, Wien 1875, (p.143)
The miniatures, mostly 107x92mm, are rectangular, and the images are framed between ornamental renaissance-style dark pink pillars, mostly arched and profiled with gold. This method of composition had been used by Albrecht Glockendon. Some of the iconography is unusual for a prayerbook, particularly the miniatures illustrating the Ten Commandments. It is typical of the Glockendon workshop that many of the images are derivative from Duerer and other 16th century artists. The style is in many ways similar to Albrecht Glockendon's Prayerbook for Herzog Wilhelm IV of Bavaria (Vienna, Nationalbibliothek, no.1880, Denis II 917). The secular figures here appear in the characteristic South-German dress of the first half of the 16th century and follow the usual occupations of the period. Also striking is the fine depiction of landscape.
The subjects of the miniatures comprise four main groups, (i) the Articles of Faith, folios 20 to 22; (ii) the Ten Commandments, folios 25 to 33; (iii) the Lord's Prayer, folios 51 to 59; (iv) the Sacraments with prayers to the Trinity, folios 68 to 77. A number of these derive from Hans Brosamer's illustrations to Luther's Catechism Catechismus für die gemeine Pfarrherr und Prediger, Frankfurt, Weygand Han, 1550. They are identified with their reference in Hollstein German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts vol.IV, p.244
THE SUBJECTS OF THE MINIATURES ARE:
folio 1. The title: Crucifixion. Christ crucified between the two thieves. The three Maries, St.John and another saint grieving; two men on horseback watching. The composition is closely based on a print by Duerer [Bartsch 59]. The verso is blank. (This is the only page that is slightly smudged)
folio 2. The armorial shields of the families of Solms and Mansfeld on purple ground. In the upper corners two small roundels containing grisaille knights on horseback. Signed S.G. in lower right hand corner. The verso is blank
folio 20. God in heaven on a cloud in flowing robes, creating the world, depicted as a circular landscape with animals. Headed "Ich glaub in Got Vater Almechtigen Schöpffer himels und der Erden".
folio 21. The Crucifixion. Mary and St.John standing by the side of the Cross. The second part of the Confession of Faith.
folio 22. Pentecost. Mary seated reading a book, surrounded by the Apostles who are looking up to the descent of the Holy Ghost. The third part of the Confession of Faith. 'Ich glaub in den heiligen Geist'. This derives from Brosamer: H 366
folio 25. Moses receiving the Tablets from God on top of a mountain. Below a group of Israelites dancing, adoring the Golden Calf. This illustrates the First Commandment 'Du sollt nicht frembde Götter ehren noch anbeten'. This derives from Brosamer, H.354
folio 26. Two men playing dice, one evidently swearing is pointing at the figure of Christ on the Cross. One of the men seems to be a woodcutter with an axe, carrying on his back a basket of cut branches, the other a soldier. In the background a large shop selling rolls of cloth, and wool in bags. The merchant, with fingers pointing towards heaven talking to a man carrying a sword. Illustrating the second Commandment 'Du solt den Namen des Herren deines Gottes nicht unnutzlich üppig oder verachlich füren unnd nennen'.
folio 27. A preacher in church before a large congregation. Beneath the pulpit, seated on a stool, a young woman, bareheaded and in gaudy clothes. This illustrates the third Commandment 'Gedenck des Sabbats, das du ihme heiligest'.
folio 28. 'Noah and his sons'. An old man apparently drunk, lying against a rock asleep. He is surrounded by three boys mocking him, one lifting the man's coat and exposing his naked thighs, another covering his eyes. Illustrating the fourth Commandment 'Du solt dein Vater und Muter ehrn'. This derives from Brosamer, H.357.
folio 29. Cain slaying Abel with the jawbone of an ass. At back an altar with a flame. Illustrating the fifth Commandment 'Du solt nicht Tödten'. This derives from Brosamer, H.358.
folio 30. David on a balcony watching Bathsheba in the bath below. Illustrating the sixth Commandment 'Du solt nit Ehbrechen noch unkeusch treiben'.
folio 31. 'Achan's theft'. Two men stealing a treasure chest, digging it up beneath a luxurious tent, while a festive party celebrates in another tent. Illustrating the seventh Commandment 'Du solt nicht Stehlen'. This derives from Brosamer, H.360
folio 32. A nobleman accusing an artisan carrying a hammer, before a seated judge. Illustrating the eighth Commandment 'Du solt nicht falsche zeugknus geben wider deiñ nechstn'.
folio 33. A young man talking to an older man, perhaps a lawyer?, seated at a table with accounts and pointing behind him. Through a large window a field, a house and a church, with a man and woman and cattle. Illustrating the ninth and tenth Commandments. 'Du solt deines nechsten Haus nit begern' and 'Du solt nicht begern deines nechst Gemahels Magd, Knecht, Vihe oder was sein ist'.
folio 51. The adoration of Christ by a group of kneeling and praying men. The beginning of the Lord's prayer. 'Vater Unser ... Geheiligt werd dein Nam'.
folio 52. A priest preaching in church. The woman shown sitting below the pulpit on folio 27, is now part of the congregation. Beneath the pulpit a white dog. 'Zukomme dein Reich'.
folio 53. A priest preaching in church. A boy pointing at a woman seated in the centre (possibly the patron?). 'Dein Wil geschehe auf Erden wir im Hymel'. This is a similar composition to Brosamer's portrait of Luther preaching, H.377
folio 54. Christ on the road to Calvary. He is carrying the Cross, surrounded at one side by soldiers, at the other by the three Maries and St.John.
folio 55. The Feeding of the Five Thousand. Christ sitting on a hill passing loaves of bread to his disciples Philip and Andrew, who distribute them to the multitude below. In the background a man rolling four barrels. Headed 'Unser teglich brot gib uns heut'. Signed 'S.G.' on the base
folio 56. A borrower arguing with a moneylender. Below 'Vergib uns unser schuld wie wir vergeben unsern Schuldigern'.
folio 57. The resurrected Christ talking to the three Maries, two kneeling before him, the third stands behind them, in a doorway, her hands on their shoulders. Behind him two men, one presumably Joseph of Arimathea, the other Nicodemus, with John the Evangelist who appears to be admonishing them. Headed 'Nicht füre uns in versuchung' [Don't lead us into temptation].
folio 58. Christ's descent into Hell, holding the arm of one of the sinners. 'Sondern erlöse uns vom ubel'.
folio 59. The Annunciation in a gothic chamber, introducing the prayer to the Virgin. 'Ave Maria'.
folio 68. The Last Supper, Christ and the Apostles at a round table. The Sacraments. 'Nemet hin und esset das ist mein Leib'
folio 75. God creating the World. Similar to the Creation on folio 20. Introducing a prayer to God the Father, the first to the Trinity.
folio 76. The Crucifixion. Mary, Mary Magdalen and St.John below the Cross in a landscape of trees. 'Das Annder gebeth zu Got dem Sune'.
folio 77. The group of men at prayer before the Holy Ghost above. 'Das dritte Gebeth zu Got dem heiling geist'.
folio 112. God in Majesty on a rainbow in the clouds
folio 113. Christ crucified against the stems of a tree, the Virgin and St.John standing on branches at the foot of the Cross, within a jewelled rosary and a wreath, against a blue background with golden stars. 'Zu Got dem Sun'
folio 114. The patroness of this book kneeling in a landscape of rocks and trees, looking up to the Holy Ghost above. Introducing a prayer 'Zu Got dem Heiling Geyst'.