A Liber Precum in Selestat and the Development of the Illustrated Prayer Book in Germany
Jeffrey F. Hamburger
The twelfth century marks a turning point in the history of prayer book. During first Christian millenium, pictures played only limited role and narrative imagery almost none, but by later Middle Ages extensive cycles illustration appeared books across Europe. Focusing on developments Germany, this article argues that cura monialium or pastoral care nuns provided seminal context for development early illustrated books. A newly discovered liber precum Selestat serves as departure reevaluation so-called Prayer Book Hildegard Bingen, most profusely book from twelfth-century Germany. Analysis prayers well images group manuscripts suggests with illustrations should be carried back to very beginning century, if not even earlier, that, within monastic reform, female patr...
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