The Passion c. 16th century

This is "The Passion," a book made around the mid-16th century by Master S. Bound in deep red leather, this book would have been a precious object, signaling the owner's wealth and piety. Consider the social context: The Passion tells the story of Christ's suffering and death, a central narrative in a deeply religious era marked by the rise of Protestantism and religious wars. Master S, active in this period, would have been keenly aware of the power of religious imagery and texts to shape belief. The book's existence speaks to the increasing accessibility of religious texts beyond the clergy, yet its luxurious binding suggests a readership among the affluent. The very act of creating and possessing such a book was laden with social and religious meaning. To fully understand its significance, we might look at religious book production, the economics of bookbinding, and the social status of its likely owners. Each thread of research helps us understand the complex relationship between art, faith, and society.