13.06.2023
Kunstbibliothek
Following its bibliographic entry in the Kunstbibliothek’s (Art Library) online catalogue, the new digital collection catalogue on Schreibmeisterbücher/Writing Master Books has also been published. Released in German and English versions, the catalogue contains various essays and more than 300 illustrations. The publication is also available via Open Access (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Schreibmeisterbücher/Writing master books are printed textbooks and template works used for teaching writing with pen and ink. The writing patterns were reproduced in woodcuts or copperplate engravings. They were distributed throughout Europe from the 16th century until the invention of the typewriter, and used to practice writing from templates and, above all, to demonstrate mastery in writing.
Schreibmeisterbücher/Writing master books are extremely rare, sought-after collection objects. The Kunstbibliothek’s collection, numbering 493 bibliographic entries, offers a uniquely broad spectrum regarding the European cultural history of writing forms and writing. It allows for comparisons between individual writing styles, cities and countries, as well as an analysis of the historical development processes of manuscripts into the 19th century.
Essays written by experts in the field and introductions to the catalogue categorised by linguistic zones introduce the main features and numerous aspects of the history of European Schreibmeisterbücher/writing master books. Because the cultural techniques of writing have undergone radical changes since the typewriter’s invention, the digital catalogue intends to provide new access to research with the collection objects in the Kunstbibliothek.
