Title-Plate, from Das Bossenbüchlein 1577 - 1587

Mathias Beitler created this title plate from "Das Bossenbüchlein," around 1583. It's an engraving, a medium that lent itself well to the precise detail demanded by the book trade in early modern Germany. The plate would have served as the public face of the book, announcing its contents and authorship. Enclosed in an oval frame, the text proudly proclaims the book’s origin in the “princely city” of Onolzbach, modern-day Ansbach. Two cherubic figures, symbols of divine approval and innocence, flank the central inscription, their presence suggesting the book’s moral or religious content. But who was this book intended for? Was it a product of the court, or was it a commercial venture aimed at a broader audience? Looking at the archives of Ansbach, or the records of contemporary print shops, might give us more insight. The meaning of this unassuming title plate lies as much in its historical context as in its visual design.