The 17th Century: Artistic Accuracy
The books from the 17th century demonstrate the continued demand for Martin Luther’s German Bible in Europe. Alongside the proliferation of vernacular Biblical texts, the illustrations from this era indicate a push toward more realistic art styles and frank representations of ancient and contemporary life.
The illustration of “De Hute”, a German scene from 1670, contrasts with the Biblically accurate depiction of a Levite priest and traditional ancient clothing pictured in contemporary Bible illustrations.
Leaf from the Martin Luther Bible, German
Printed Leaf with Woodcut Illustration, Non-Contemporary Hand Colored, c. 1640
With continued prevalence into the 17th century, this woodcut illustration from the Martin Luther Bible depicts a Biblically accurate Levite priest from the Book of Exodus. The priest is dressed in flowing robes with traditional religious accessories but this figure is set against a backdrop of multicolored tents in a thick forest. This dichotomy between traditional Biblical elements and familiar European settings is representative of the expanding yet relatable understanding of religion in Germany.
De Hute, German
Printed Leaf with Copper Plate Engraving, c. 1670
Possibly titled “Die Hüte” or, “the hats”, which are shown hanging up in the image’s background, this copper plate engraving, depicting a scene from everyday life in the mid-17th century, demonstrates the increasingly realistic and observational tone of art in this era. The text surrounding the image is also written in German, indicating a growing interest in accurately portraying German culture and Biblical themes as belonging to distinct eras and geographic locations.
Book of Matthew, German
Printed Leaf with Woodcut Illustration, Non-Contemporary Colored, c. 1680
This leaf features another woodcut illustration created for a Martin Luther Bible. The art style contrasts significantly from previous illustrations for the Martin Luther Bible, even within the same century, as both the Biblical figures are drawn in detailed, traditional clothing and poses and the background is more readily recognizable as a typical Bible setting. This illustration demonstrates a shift toward the modern understanding of Biblical scenes.
Notes
All images, titles, and descriptions taken from the Valdosta State University Archives & Special Collections digitized Tatler-Burgess Collection.
