Inspired by stories from the Old Testament - The Book of Miracles
The Book of Miracles A wondrous discovery in Renaissance art reveals a series of hallucinatory illustrations These depictions of celestial phenomena and portentous signs were recently discovered as part of a collection of 169 illustrations created in Augsburg, Germany around 1552. Reproduced as The Book of Miracles for the first time in its entirety by Taschen, the book is one of the most remarkable modern finds in the field of Renaissance art, offering a unique view into the fears and fascinations of the age. “The unidentified patron who commissioned this manuscript wanted to create a stunning visual experience,” says author Joshua P. Waterman, an expert on German art of the late medieval and early modern periods who authored the new book with fellow academic Till-Holger Borchert. “The Protestant viewer would have reflected on the greater significance of these wonders: Why are there dragons in the sky? Why does it rain blood? Why are there three suns overhead? We know from contemporary sources that the answer was general: Things are wrong in the world. Repent and prepare for the end times, which are possibly now.” Though the gouache and watercolor illustrations add up to an ominous collection, the ultimate message of these signs of doom could be interpreted as positive. “They implied moral improvement could mark a path not only to a better existence on earth, but also eternal life,” says Waterman. “Unfortunately, the catastrophes in the book—earthquakes, floods, storms, fires, and volcanic eruptions—are still all too relevant. Let’s hope instead that 2014 brings harmless wonders such as battles of celestial armies, which was the 16th-century interpretation of northern lights, and maybe some sword-wielding comets.” December 26, 2013 - Connect with NOWNESS
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Photo credit: © steeve-x-art / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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