News
Exhibition “Black Art”
29 Jan 2024
The incunabula of the LMU Munich University Library
© UB der LMU München
The invention of printing transformed the media world in Europe. The characteristic black printing ink quickly gave rise to a name for the new craft: black art. Among the first examples of this black art are the so-called incunabula or early printed books. This term refers to printed writings produced between the invention of printing and December 31, 1500. Metaphorically speaking, printing was still “in its cradle” during the incunabula period – the Latin word incunabula translates as diapers or cradle. There are a total of around 27,500 different incunabula. According to estimates, a total of around 550,000 copies are believed to have survived. With 3,600 incunabula, the LMU Munich University Library's incunabula collection ranks among the largest in Germany.
The exhibition “Black Art – The Incunabula of the LMU Munich University Library” from January 29, 2024, to April 12, 2024, offers an insight into the world of incunabula. A selection of characteristic incunabula will be used to illustrate the development of incunabula from the first prints to post-incunabula. The various characteristics of incunabula – from content and typography to binding – will be presented. Incunabula catalogs and the trade in incunabula will establish the connection to the present day.
Date and location of the exhibition
- Duration of the exhibition: January 29, 2024 – April 12, 2024
- Location: University Library, exhibition and lending hall (ground floor), Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 München
Contact
Annika Assil, M.A.
University Library of LMU Munich
Special Collections Department
Rare Books Division
E-mail: Annika.Assil@ub.uni-muenchen.de
Dr. Sven Kuttner
University Library of LMU Munich
Deputy Director
Special Collections Department
E-mail: sven.kuttner@ub.uni-muenchen.de