Who painted Bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach?

Bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach was painted by German 15th Century in 1500.

Where can I see Bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach?

Bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach?

Bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach

German 15th Century , 1500

Bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a hand‑colored woodcut serving as a bookplate for Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach.

About this work

Overview

The work is a hand‑colored woodcut serving as a bookplate for Hilprand Brandenburg of Bibrach. Executed on laid paper, the image combines a monochrome woodcut base with applied pigments in green, rose, light blue, red and yellow, creating a vivid yet uneven surface typical of personalized book ownership marks in the early modern period.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre stands a serene, winged figure crowned with a halo and draped in a long robe, cradling a small, coiled creature that resembles a blue‑scaled animal with diminutive limbs. The angelic presence and the protective gesture toward the creature suggest a symbolic guardianship, possibly invoking divine favor for the owner’s library.

Technique & Style

The image originates from a traditional relief woodcut, where the design was incised into a block and printed in a single ink tone.

The image originates from a traditional relief woodcut, where the design was incised into a block and printed in a single ink tone. After printing, the artist applied water‑based pigments by hand, resulting in bright but irregular coloration. The wings display subtle green‑brown shading, while the figure’s robe and the creature are highlighted in the added hues, reflecting the workshop practice of enhancing prints for private commissions.

History & Provenance

Created as a personalized ex libris for Hilprand Brandenburg, a member of the Brandenburg family associated with the village of Bibrach, the piece exemplifies the use of decorative bookplates in the late 15th to early 16th centuries. The work remains mounted on its original laid paper support, preserving the original hand‑coloring and offering insight into the patron’s status and taste.