Page of the Gutenberg Bible

Completed between 1450 and 1456, the Gutenberg Bible was the first book printed after Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of movable type. Originally intended to look like the work of a manuscript copyist, Gutenberg Bibles lacked page numbers, title pages, and other distinguishing features. Although the combination of papermaking and movable type made it possible to produce a large number of these Bibles, fewer than 50 original editions remain today. The illustrations seen accompanying the text on this page are probably hand painted, although many other drawings were printed using either a woodcut technique or etching.

Bridgeman Art Library, London/New York

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Bible; Gutenberg Bible; Book; Germany, Federal Republic of

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