Book page with an illustration depicting wild and fantastical animals, including a unicorn. Front view.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bernhard von Breydenbach, Cl. 23894 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Printed book page featuring text and a historical scene. Front view.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bernhard von Breydenbach, Cl. 23894 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Interior page of a printed book featuring text, a grid of symbols, and a historical scene. Front view.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bernhard von Breydenbach, Cl. 23894 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Interior page of a printed book. Front view.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bernhard von Breydenbach, Cl. 23894 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Interior page of a printed book featuring text and a historical scene set in a city with oriental architecture. Front view.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bernhard von Breydenbach, Cl. 23894 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Interior page of a printed book featuring text, a grid of symbols, and a historical scene. Front view.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bernhard von Breydenbach, Cl. 23894 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Double interior page of a printed book depicting ships facing a fortified city. Front view.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bernhard von Breydenbach, Cl. 23894 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bernhard von Breydenbach

Description

Not on display

15th century

Late Middle Ages

In 1483, Bernhard von Breydenbach, who came from Strasbourg and was a Canon of Mainz Cathedral, embarked on a pilgrimage that took him to Jerusalem via Venice, Corfu and Crete.

It is the account of this journey that is described and illustrated here by the painter-engraver who accompanied him.

As the pages are turned, one discovers a wonderful depiction of the Holy Sepulchre, the church that houses the tomb of Christ, as well as remarkable representations of the creatures he encountered along the way: a giraffe, a crocodile, an guinea pig, a wild man, and, most notably, a unicorn near Mount Sinai, which he reached at the end of his journey.
 

From one artwork to another

Lead object: boat with an inscription on the sail carrying a Virgin and Child. Front view.

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century