The Gutenberg Bible, printed over 570 years ago by Johannes Gutenberg, is now on display at the Medieval Art Gallery in Warsaw. This rare book is one of the few surviving copies in the world and the only one in Poland. It is an important cultural and historical artifact.
A Long Journey Through History
The Diocesan Museum in Pelpin owns this priceless book. Its story begins in 1502 when Nicolaus Crapitz, the Bishop of Warmia, donated it to the Franciscan Reformed Convent in Lubawa. The Bible stayed there for hundreds of years, safely kept by the monks. But in the 19th century, the convent was closed. The Bible was then moved to the Seminary Library in Pelplin, where it was preserved.
Despite its age, the Gutenberg Bible has survived well. Most of its pages are still intact. The Bible is still in its original 15th-century cover. It has a small printing error on one page that has helped experts understand more about Gutenberg’s printing methods. This defect shows that a letter was misaligned during printing. It is a rare find, and it helps scholars learn about how movable type printing worked.
The Bible’s Survival During War
The Bible faced many challenges over the years, especially during World War II. In 1939, as war approached, Polish officials moved the Bible out of the country to protect it. The book traveled through Warsaw, Paris, and Great Britain before arriving in Canada. It was kept in a bank vault alongside other important Polish treasures, including royal regalia and a medieval chronicle.
The Bible stayed in Canada for many years. In 1959, it returned to Poland after the war ended. It was shown briefly at the National Museum in Warsaw before it was sent back to Pelplin, where it had been kept for centuries.
Protecting the Bible for the Future
The Gutenberg Bible is fragile. To keep it safe, it is displayed in a special case made of bulletproof glass. The case is designed to protect the Bible from light and air, which could cause damage. The temperature inside the case is carefully controlled to stay between 20-23°C. The humidity level is kept below 55% to prevent the paper from deteriorating.
Curator Marcin Bogusz explains, “We limit light exposure to make sure the Bible stays in good condition. It can only be shown for 60 days each year, and we use controlled lighting to help preserve it.”
The pages with handwritten notes are especially delicate. Preserving them is important for the future. The curators work hard to ensure the Bible is kept safe for generations to come.
The Impact of Gutenberg’s Invention
The display at the Medieval Art Gallery does more than just show the Bible. It also highlights the importance of Gutenberg’s printing press. Gutenberg’s invention changed the world. Before printing, books were copied by hand, which was slow and expensive. But with the printing press, books could be produced quickly and cheaply. This allowed knowledge to spread more easily throughout Europe.
The exhibit also includes examples of how printing influenced art. During the late Middle Ages, many artists used printed images in their work. Artists like Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Dürer made woodcuts and engravings, which were widely distributed. These prints inspired other artists and changed the way art was made.
Visitors can see these works in the gallery. The pieces that were influenced by Gutenberg’s printing press are marked, making it easy to spot them. This helps visitors understand how printing shaped art and culture at the time.
A Unique Cultural Treasure
The Gutenberg Bible is not just an old book. It is a symbol of a great invention that changed the way we share knowledge. The Bible’s story is also a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural treasures. The journey of the Bible, from Pelplin to Warsaw and back, shows how valuable it is to protect our history.
Visitors to the Medieval Art Gallery can see this rare book up close and learn about its impact on the world. The exhibition offers a chance to explore the history of printing and art during the Middle Ages.
This exhibition is a rare opportunity to experience one of the most important books in human history. It shows the lasting impact of Gutenberg’s printing press and offers a glimpse into the past.