CONSIDERATIONS ON THE ART OF THE BOOK FROM THE REIGN OD SAINT CONSTANTIN BRANCOVEANU

Abstract

A prominent figure in Romanian culture and spirituality, Saint Constantin Brancoveanu, Prince of Wallachia from 1688 to 1714, established an era characterized by prosperity, supported culture and education, made donations and played the role of protector of schools and printing. During his reign, elegant manuscripts were made as well as books in which the printing art shone through the mastery of engravings or the technical perfection of the printing press. The Greek Romanian Gospel of 1693, illustrated by talented archbishop Antim Ivireanul, represents a typographical masterpiece in which the care for the printed text mingles with the richness and the refinement of decorative elements. Apart from the printing of countless beautifully illustrated church books, the prince’s collaboration with holy archbishop Antim Ivireanul also resulted in the complete establishment of the Romanian language in liturgy.

Keywords

• roumanian old book
• printing press
• engraving
• brancovenesc bookbinding