Exhibition
A unique codex richly decorated with colourful illuminations and furnished with one of only 18 horn bindings preserved worldwide: The Bamberg Psalter (Msc.Bibl.48) counts among the most outstanding works of southern German book art of the High Middle Ages. A cycle of 15 pictures about the life of Christ, which accompanies the Latin text of the psalters, conveys the Christian message of salvation. The pictorial decoration was created presumably around the year 1230 in Regensburg. The first owner was probably an aristocratic lady from the family of the Counts von Hirschberg in the area around Eichstätt. Until 1803, the manuscript was located in Bamberg Cathedral, from where was transferred to today’s State Library.
In spring 2019, Quaternio Editions Luzern will publish a true to the original facsimile of the Bamberg Psalter. The art-historical commentary was written by Professor Dr David Ganz (Zurich); contributions were made by Karin Eckstein M. A. (Institute for the restoration of books and manuscripts of the Bavarian State Library in Munich), Sibylle Ruß (Textile restorer, Bamberg) and Dr Bettina Wagner (Director of the Bamberg State Library).
will publish a true to the original facsimile of the Bamberg Psalter. The art-historical commentary was written by Professor Dr David Ganz (Zurich); contributions were made by Karin Eckstein M. A. (Institute for the restoration of books and manuscripts of the Bavarian State Library in Munich), Sibylle Ruß (Textile restorer, Bamberg) and Dr Bettina Wagner (Director of the Bamberg State Library).
The special exhibition on the occasion of the facsimile production presents the original manuscript together with its modern twin and explains the intricate process of creating a facsimile. Besides the Bamberg Psalter, another eleven medieval manuscripts of the psalters from the holdings of the State Library are shown. Codices from the 9th century until the 15th century are presented, amongst them also a cycle of pictures about the life of David from the Benedictine abbey on the Michelsberg.
Virtual presentation on the Internet
The State Library makes the psalter manuscripts shown in the exhibition available as complete digital copies on its website Bamberg Treasures.
Overview of information
| Place | Bamberg State Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening hours | 25th March until 15th June 2019 Monday to Friday Closed on Sundays and public holidays as well as on Holy Saturday Sunday, 19th May 2019, 11:00 to 17:00 | |
| Entry | Free of charge | |
Tours | Every Tuesday, 17:00 Meeting place in the entrance area of the library | |
Art snack | Wednesday, 8th May 2019, 12:30 Meeting place in the entrance area of the library | |
Special tours for groups | Upon appointment | |
| Accompanying lectures in the reading room | Thursday, 23rd May 2019, 19:00 Thursday, 6th June 2019, 19:00 No registration necessary, free of charge | |
| Flyer | PDF, 2 pages | |
| Invitation to the opening | PDF, 2 pages | |
| Curator | Dr. Bettina Wagner (Bamberg) | |
| Contact us | Dr. Bettina Wagner | |