Gutenberg Bible I/280, End of first and second Prologue, The Book of Job (1:1–17): “Si autem fiscellam …"
The Book of Job, end of the First Prologue, Second Prologue and Job 1:1–17 (Prologus secundus): “Si autem fiscellam …”
The prologues to the Book of Job are no longer included in today’s Bibles. The beginning of the Book of Job presented here describes him as a man who never abandoned his true faith, regardless of the hardships he was forced to undergo. For this the Lord rewarded him with a long and rich life: “Vir erat in terra us...”
This page is rather modest in its illumination for the Berlin Gutenberg Bible as it is almost entirely devoid of the otherwise lavishly applied colour blue. The ornaments in the centre of the columns culminate in wonderfully ornate tendrils at the bottom of the text. A miniature shows the ill Job whose health is restored by the strength of his faith in God.
Format: ca. 44 x 32 cm (the size may vary slightly with handmade paper)
Reproducing ornamental pages from the 42-line Bible
Our Bible pages are reproduced in the tradition of Gutenberg. Pure linen papier bearing a watermark is created by hand with the greatest of care. The black text is printed on historical Gutenberg Museum machines. The rubrication, headings, ornaments and miniatures are drawn in and painted by hand with the utmost perfection by our book artists. True to the mediaeval art of book embellishment, first an initial drawing is made and then the gold leaf is applied. Only then do our artists begin to illuminate the prints in colour.
Applying the fine, raised gilt decoration is an ancient skill which very few artists still master. Here, a base material is applied to the paper layer by layer in an elaborate and time-consuming process to form a platform for the gold leaf.
Information on storage and frames
We supply our ornamental Bible prints in either a grey or burgundy presentation folder (format: 51 x 39 cm) together with a brochure on the Gutenberg Bible. If you would like your print framed, you can choose between a removable frame (format: 57.5 x 44 cm) and a handmade, airtight and dustproof frame with a gilt wooden trim. Both frames protect the costly gold leaf as the glass is raised from the passe-partout and thus from the surface of the print.
Please note: allow an extra one to two weeks for delivery of a print in a permanent frame.