Bookplate of the Abbey of Ottobeuren c. 1500

Here we see an anonymous bookplate for the Abbey of Ottobeuren, a visual declaration of ownership and identity. Executed in ink, the artist uses the heraldic form to convey authority and tradition through dense, symbolic layers. The composition is structured around a central shield, its bright orange ground emblazoned with a striding lion rendered in dark, precise lines. Above, an eagle with outstretched wings dominates, its form echoing and amplifying the power conveyed below. Ornate flourishes surround the shield, adding texture and a sense of ceremonial weight. The graphic quality of the work emphasizes contrast, using line and form to make a visual statement which resonates with the structuralist view of signs and systems. The symbolic language is clear, with the eagle, lion, and crown serving as potent visual symbols of both spiritual and earthly power. Through its structured composition and use of symbolic forms, the bookplate situates the Abbey of Ottobeuren within a structured cultural and philosophical discourse, inviting ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.