The Gutenberg Bible, now showcased at the Medieval Art Gallery in Warsaw, is a rare and remarkable piece of history. It is one of the few surviving copies of the Gutenberg Bible worldwide and the only one in Poland. Printed by Johannes Gutenberg more than 570 years ago, this book revolutionized knowledge-sharing through the use of movable type printing technology. This masterpiece, held by the Diocesan Museum in Pelpin, has endured a tumultuous journey through wars and relocations before finally returning to Poland. Its continued preservation offers invaluable insights into early printing techniques.
A Rare Masterpiece with a Tumultuous History The Gutenberg Bible’s journey began when Bishop Nicolaus Crapitz donated it to a Franciscan convent in Lubawa in 1502. After the convent’s dissolution in the 19th century, the Bible was moved to the Seminary Library in Pelplin, where it remained until the onset of the Second World War.
To protect this invaluable book from destruction, Polish authorities moved it in 1939, traveling through Warsaw, Paris, and London before storing it safely in a Canadian bank. It was kept alongside other national treasures like the Gallus Anonymus chronicle manuscript and royal regalia. The Bible remained in Canada until its eventual return to Poland in 1959.
Before its return to Pelplin, the Gutenberg Bible was briefly displayed at the National Museum in Warsaw, where it drew admiration from scholars and the public alike.
Unique Printing Error Unlocks Historical Insights Despite its age, the Gutenberg Bible continues to provide clues about early printing techniques. A small defect on one of its pages has helped researchers understand how individual type pieces were mounted, offering a glimpse into the revolutionary printing methods used by Gutenberg.
“The innovation of movable type revolutionized printing, allowing the rapid production of identical books,” explained curator Marcin Bogusz. Although 15th-century Europe quickly embraced print technology, books were not initially mass-produced with movable type but rather through alternative printing techniques.
Meticulous Preservation for Future Generations The display of the Gutenberg Bible requires careful environmental control to ensure its preservation for future generations. A specialized, bulletproof, air-conditioned case maintains temperatures between 20-23°C with humidity levels controlled at 45-55%. Lighting is carefully limited to protect the fragile pages, allowing the book to be displayed for only 60 days per year with minimal artificial light.
Pages containing handwritten elements are especially sensitive to light, necessitating ongoing conservation efforts. “The measures taken ensure that the fragile paper remains intact and continues to inspire future historians and scholars,” Bogusz emphasized.
The Gutenberg Legacy: Books, Art, and Culture Visitors to the exhibition can explore the broader cultural impact of Gutenberg’s invention. A thematic walking tour highlights medieval book culture and how early printed works influenced art and society.
Painted and sculpted depictions of books, inscriptions, and scenes of reading or writing illustrate the importance of books in medieval life. Gutenberg’s printing press also inspired artists, with engravings by figures like Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Dürer frequently replicated in artworks of the period.
Artifacts related to Gutenberg’s innovation are marked with special symbols, guiding visitors through the lasting cultural shift sparked by the printing press.