The Berlin Picture Book (Libr. pict. A 83) is a German manuscript thought to have been created in the workshop of Albrecht Dürer as preparation for his fencing manual of 1512 (MS 26-232).[1] The original currently rests in the holdings of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin in Berlin, Germany. This manuscript is just a book of illustrations, not a true fencing manual, and its focus is on accurately depicting the fighters rather than on explicating their techniques. It seems to be connected in some way to the Nuremberg manuscript group, and also incorporates the dagger content from Hans Talhoffer's 1448 manuscript and sword and buckler devices of unknown origin.
Provenance
The known provenance of the Libr. pict. A 83 is:
- 1845-present – Held by the Staatsbibliothek Preußischer Kulturbesitz (purchased Berlin, Asher, 1845)
Contents
1r - 6v
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Images
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Draft Translation by Jens P. Kleinau
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Transcription [edit] by Dierk Hagedorn
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Two guards
SwingPiece To the thrust
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[1r-a] zwo huet
- schwungstuck zum stich
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{binding} Outside and inside through the arm thrusted and then standing up
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[1r-b] Aussen vnd In Wendig durch den Arm gestochen vnd dan auff gestanden
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To grab with the sword releasing at the follow of the knee the hip
- A piece against the ox (first) with it thrust through the arm
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[1v-a] das fassen mit dem schwert losen an der kelen die huff
- Stuck zum ersten dam[it] gestochen durch den arm
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free strike
- two breakings, point and pommel to the neck
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[1v-b] frayer straÿch
- Zwen pruch spitz vnd knopf an den hals
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push hit and tear
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[2r-a] stossen schlahen vnd reyssen
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deathstrike (thunderstrike)
thrust through for the visor break the left hand at his hilt and with the pommel through winded
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[2r-b] Donerschlag vnden durch geschossen fur das visir pruch die linck hant an seyn gehultz vnd mitt dem knopf durch gewunden
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In the hilt break wind over with the blade and tear downwards
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[2v-a] In das gehultz pruch vber win[d] mitt der kling vnd hinder reit
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twitching sword over neck
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[2v-b] Zucken schwert vber hals
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7r - 32v
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Long sword illustrations from the Nuremberg tradition
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33r - 36r
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Illustrations of sword and buckler
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36v - 65v
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Dagger illustrations from the Nuremberg tradition and Hans Talhoffer
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Gallery
Additional Resources
References
- ↑ Hils, Hans-Peter. Meister Johann Liechtenauers Kunst des langen Schwertes. Peter Lang, 1985. pp 43-44.
Copyright and License Summary
For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.