The artwork titled “Pages Of Marginal Drawings For Emperor Maximilian’s Prayer Book” is a creation by Albrecht Dürer, dated to 1515, during the Northern Renaissance. As a miniature genre piece, it was initially intended for the personal prayer book of Emperor Maximilian and is now held in a private collection.
In the image, we see a page from the prayer book featuring exquisite calligraphy and intricate marginal drawings. The calligraphy consists of Gothic script, containing religious text which appears to be a prayer or hymn. Surrounding this text are beautifully detailed illustrations created with fine lines.
On the margins, you can observe several figures; on the right, there’s an angel with open wings, looking downwards toward the text. Below, there’s another ethereal figure with a halo, possibly a saint or the Virgin Mary, gazing gently to the side. At the bottom of the page is a putto, or a small cherubic figure, who appears to be playing or interacting with the decorative foliage that frames the text. This type of decoration is characteristic of the ornate styles found in illuminated manuscripts of the period.
Albrecht Dürer has signed the page with his famous monogram, located at the lower right margin. This inclusion verifies the authenticity of the work and connects it directly to the renowned artist from the Northern Renaissance. The artwork demonstrates Dürer’s mastery over both religious iconography and intricate detail in his marginal drawings, serving Emperor Maximilian with a richly decorated devotional piece.
