Printed Book with Silva Nuptialis Bonis Referta Non Modicis

Art Historical Context

Step into the world of Renaissance scholarship with *Silva Nuptialis Bon Referta Non Modic*, a printed book from 1521 authored by jurist Johannes Nevizanus and produced by Parisian printer J. Kerver. This French work, translating roughly to "Nuptial Filled with Considerable Goods," delves into legal aspects of marriage, reflecting the era's growing interest in canon and civil law amid the Protestant Reformation's upheavals. Printed on paper and housed in the Medieval Art department of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it bridges late medieval traditions with the printing revolution sparked by Gutenberg decades earlier. The book's compact size—6 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 1 3/16 inches—made it portable for scholars and clergy, while its brown calf leather binding, richly tooled with decorative patterns, showcases the artistry of contemporary bookbinders. Tooling involved heating metal tools to emboss intricate designs, elevating functional objects into treasures. Classified among leatherwork, books, and illuminations, and tagged with human figures, it likely features woodcut illustrations depicting people in matrimonial or legal scenes, blending text and image in the humanist spirit of the time. Acquired via the Fletcher Fund in 1924, this volume highlights the cultural shift toward accessible knowledge in 16th-century Europe, where printed books democratized learning and preserved intricate craftsmanship for posterity. A delightful glimpse into Renaissance daily life and law!

About the Artist

Johannes Nevizanus|J. Kerver ( |French) · | – |

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