Evangeliary of John of Troppau

The magnificent Evangeliary of Johann von Troppau occupies a special place in the collection of the Austrian National Library as its founding codex. The 384-page manuscript was created in 1368 in the north of the Czech Republic by order of Albrecht III, Duke of Austria (1349-1395). He was already known among his contemporaries as a lover of the arts and a great lover of books.

The priest and canon Johann von Troppau was responsible for the design of the text, the five large pictorial pages, the four decorative pages with initials as well as for the 85 historiated initials. The imposing overall impression of the manuscript is rounded off by the wrought-iron work of the two magnificent covers made of gilded silver.

The signature of Johann of Troppau

s a priest and canon of Brno, Johann of Troppau informs the reader of the four Gospels of the New Testament that he himself wrote the text in 1368 with an ink of pure gold. According to this, the manuscript can be dated with certainty, but it can be assumed that of Troppau had assistance in the production of the manuscript. Thus, three different hands can be separated in the decoration: That of the priest as the main master, that of an assistant, and that of the miniature painter of the Missal of Johann von Neumarkt.

Einband

Prunkeinband zeigen auf Vor- und Rückseite aufwendige, filigrane Schmiedearbeit aus vergoldetem Silber. Beide Prunkdeckel werden verziert durch 5 Löwenköpfe mit einer Mähne aus stilisierten Sonnenstrahlen – eingefasst in eine filigrane Maßwerkleiste. Prunkdeckel des Evangeliars von Troppau ist einziger erhaltener Metallbuchdeckel der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. Zwei Metallschließen aus vergoldetem Messing an Lederbändern. Kostbarer Echtleder-Einband aus rotem Rindsleder.