The Rheinau Psalter, Ms. Rh. 167, is among the preeminent treasures
of the Zurich Central Library. Its miniatures are a product of the
highest level of artistry of the High Gothic painting of this
period around 1260, which is also true for the sophisticated color
and painting techniques that were used. In contrast, the script,
while of quite good quality, cannot be counted among the highest
examples of the art of writing. The commissioner of the manuscript
must be sought in the area of Lake Constance, probably in the city
of Constance, which was very important in the politics and church
politics at the time of the interregnum. In 1817, Father Blasius
Hauntinger purchased the manuscript from Melchior Kirchhofer in
Schaffhausen for the Benedictine Rheinau Abbey; in 1863, the
manuscript, along with the Rheinau Abbey Library, became part of
the Cantonal Library (today Central Library) in Zurich.
