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The European Library
AUSTRIA
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Mr. Max Kaiser
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Unknown , Coptic Council Acts, Ephesus |
| Emperor Theodosius II called for the now famous Ecumenian Council of Ephesus (AD 431). The chief aim was the condemnation of the teaching of Nestorius, mainly thanks to Cyrillos, Patriarch of Alexandria. The council acts and the outcome were of such importance for the monophysitic Egyptian church that in the 8th century a luxury manuscript was made of the Coptic translation of the council acts. The double folio in the Papyrus Collection ( P. Vindob. K. 381) is the only surviving evidence. The section contains the names of thirty disciples of John, Patriarch of Antioch, who had opposed the condemnation of Nestorius. The parchment folio also hands down a very effective circular letter by Cyrillos against Johannes in order to win supporters for Nestorius, as the result shows. Today we too are witness of what happened at the council and are able to understand the council’s significance in church history – especially for the Coptic church. The council acts were written in Greek and must have been translated into Coptic immediately after the council had met. |
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Gutiérrez, Sancho , Esta Carta general en plano hizo Sancho Gutierrez cosmographo (World Map) |
| The large hand-drawn map of the world by Sancho Gutiérrez (1516-1580) is a copy of a formerly top secret and constantly updated document from the Casa de la Contradación (Spanish colonial administrative office). It was designed in the style of late medieval nautical charts (portulan charts), although the interior of the continents and isles are full of numerous toponyms and geographical details such as towns, rivers and mountains. The map also shows botanical, zoological and anthropological depictions as well as phantastic creatures. Textual inserts contain detailed information and source references such as reports of explorations and older geographical literature. The section on display shows the most interesting area of the map, a part of South America. Traditional knowledge from the Casa de la Contradación overlaps equal to more up to date information: the course of the Amazon and the South American west coast are drawn in two versions. This map of the world was drawn for the Emperor Charles V and well illustrates the comprehensive importance and role of old maps: firstly, the collection and reproduction in text and pictures of geographical facts and traditions - including mythological conceptions - , secondly, the map as a valuable document with which to demonstrate the claim for power and dominion. |
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Unknown , Das Wiener Heiltumsbuch. In Disem Puechlein ist Verzaichnet das Hochwirdig Heyligtumb so man In der |
| The Wiener Heiltumsbuch belongs to the most well known works of the Viennese early printer Johannes Winterburger. He came from the Rhineland and can be traced in Vienna from 1492. His total production until his death in 1519 includes more than 200 printed works. As well as editions of classical authors, grammars for use at the university, scientific works, beautifully designed liturgical prints, official publications, broadsheets and popular works such as calendars, prognostica and the Wiener Heiltumsbuch. Heiltumsbücher are catalogues of relics which were on view. This kind of printed documentation was compiled for the pilgrims and is going back to the last third of the 15th century. The copy on display was commissioned by senator Matthäus Heuperger and contains a large number of illustrations; its 269 woodcuts and illuminated letters make it a unique example of Viennese woodcut-art at that time. As well as the illustration and commentary of more than 200 sacred relics, the book also contains a picture of the sanctuary stool (i.e. the exhibition building where sacred relics were put on public display) and one of the oldest views of St. Stephan’s Cathedral in Vienna. This woodcut takes up a whole page and is attributed to the master himself. The reproduction of the cathedral is remarkably exact, as shown by the details of the crane on the still incomplete north tower. |
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Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus , Requiem KV 626 |
| Hardly any other musical masterpiece has given rise to more romantic legends and speculative theories than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem KV 626. It was Mozart’s last work, which he was unable to finish, and is considered as one of the most important compositions in sacred music. The mysterious dark messenger who commissioned the work remained a mystery for some time. During the course of the 19. century it first became known that he was Count Franz Walsegg-Stuppach’s agent. The count placed an anonymous order for a requiem with Mozart because he intended to tell people it was his own work. After Mozart had died on 5 December 1791, leaving the requiem incomplete, his widow, Constanze, had to find someone to finish it, as Count Walsegg-Stuppach was becoming increasingly impatient. After several unsuccessful attempts by Joseph Eybler, Mozart’s pupil Franz Xaver Süßmayr took over, finished the orchestration and added the sections Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei. This is the reason why Mozart’s last work survives in two manuscript volumes. Only the first movement of the commissioned score (i.e. the volume which Constanze Mozart handed over to Count Walsegg-Stuppach according to the original agreement) is in Mozart’s hand, the rest is written by Süßmayr. The working score, however, which begins with the Dies irae contains all the surviving sections in Mozart’s hand. The imperial library (now the Austrian National Library) acquired the precious manuscript in various stages: in 1831 and 1833 the working score was acquired from Joseph Eybler and Maximilian Stadler and in 1838 the commissioned score from Katharina Adelpoller. |
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Durant, Guillaume , Rationale divinorum officiorum |
| This eight volumed work explains the function and origin of the church building, liturgical robes, ceremonies and festivals. This work of reference is shown here in the form of a late medieval German translation from the Latin done by Viennese literary circles. The codex is richly ornamented with painted initials, initial-miniatures and margins including figures. It is a major key work in the history of Viennese 14th and early 15th century book art. The decoration of this monumental manuscript was interrupted several times. It must have taken about twenty years to complete and thus it documents notable changes in Viennese book art at the turn of the 14th – 15th centuries. The first page on display (the beginning of the first foreword) shows the decorative concept of the illumination with historiated initials and borders. The contents of this folio also document the possible occasion that inspired the creation of the codex: namely, the papal concession for the study of theology at Vienna University applied for by Duke Albrecht III (shown in several illustrations on this page). The historiated initial shows four deans honouring the duke: the medallions on the lower margin of the folio illustrate the receipt of the concession, the university and a group of students with their teacher. |
Exhibitions
Uncover the Roma's rich cultural heritage with this ground breaking exhibition. Still on display:
Napoleonic wars, unique buildings
and magnificent treasures.
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