The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslas

The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslaus

As the fortunes of the Kingdom of Bohemia rose within the Holy Roman Empire, the court at Prague became one of the most magnificent in Europe and the city itself became an important center of art and learning, which attracted artists and intellectuals from across the world. The masterpiece of Gothic illumination at hand originated shortly after the year 1400 at the behest of Wenceslaus IV (1361–1419), King of Bohemia and uncrowned Holy Roman Emperor, for his own personal use. It was created by a team of artists in the so-called Wenceslaus workshops under the direction of his court astronomer Terzysko. One of the finest specimens of the International Gothic style is presented in masterful detail, right down to the backgrounds – some splendidly patterned, others glimmering with gold leaf. Although his rule was contentious and uncertain, Wenceslaus was a learned man who patronized many splendid manuscripts including the famous Wenceslas Bible. He created an artistic haven at his court that attracted some of the best artists from across the Holy Roman Empire and Europe as a whole.

A Bohemian Masterpiece

Although considerably more secular in nature, The Codex of Astronomy and Astrology of King Wenceslaus is also a masterpiece of Gothic illumination with incredibly lifelike human and animal figures including bathing maidens, an artistic motif closely associated with the King that also appears in his famous Bible. The 106-page manuscript is an outstanding testimony of the golden age of illumination in Prague ca. 1400 and measures an impress 450 x 320 mm. The academic text is a Latin translation of Arabic and Hebrew texts adorned by 55 miniatures, 7 astrological figures, 3 gold initials, 114 opaque initials, and 19 historicized initials altogether – illumination truly worthy of a king. The famous miniatures are a fine contribution to the tradition established by Al-Sufi (903–986) in his Book of Fixed Stars and carried on by numerous other splendid illustrations. This Bohemian manuscript is a fascinating compendium of astronomical-astrological knowledge, complete with various depictions and interpretations of the stars from the most famous astronomers and astrologers of antiquity and the Middle Ages.