Who painted Title Page for a Bible?

Title Page for a Bible was painted by Augustin Braun in 1605.

Where can I see Title Page for a Bible?

Title Page for a Bible is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Title Page for a Bible?

Title Page for a Bible is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Title Page for a Bible

Augustin Braun , 1605

Title Page for a Bible is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Augustin Braun. It dates from 1605 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Augustin Braun’s 1605 drawing serves as a decorative title page for a Bible. Executed with pen, brown ink and a blue‑brown wash applied over black chalk, the work measures the page with a central figure clutching a scroll, surrounded by a group of attendant figures within an architectural framework of columns and arches.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, likely a personification of Scripture or a saint, holds a scroll that signifies the sacred text. Flanking characters bear objects such as a book and a staff, reinforcing themes of learning and spiritual guidance. The surrounding motifs and symbols, integrated into the architectural setting, echo the reverence and authority associated with the biblical canon.

Technique & Style

Braun employs fine cross‑hatching to model forms and create a sense of depth, while washes of brown and blue ink lend tonal variation and atmospheric shading. The underlying black chalk provides a structural sketch that is subtly visible beneath the ink layers, demonstrating a meticulous approach characteristic of early 17th‑century draftsmanship.

History & Provenance

Created in 1605, the drawing was likely intended for a printed Bible edition, serving as an ornamental frontispiece. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work is attributed to Braun based on stylistic analysis and dated signatures common to his known output.