The so-called "Berner Parzival" is the last dated manuscript of
Wolfram von Eschenbach’s epic poem about the Holy Grail, created
between 1200 and 1210; moreover, this textual witness is adorned
with illustrations. Presumably the Bernese merchant Jörg Friburger
commissioned the manuscript in 1467 from the scribe Johann Stemhein
of Konstanz, who edited and stylistically modernized the text of
his model to match the tastes of a late medieval urban public. In
addition, he gave directions for illustrations, which were later
executed by a painter who created 28 colored pen and ink drawings.
The further history of this manuscript,which today consists of 180
leaves, is unknown; it must, however, have reached the Bernese
municipal library in the early years of the 19th century, where it
is attested at least since 1816.
Rights
e-codices - Virtual Manuscript Library of Switzerland
