XILOGRAVURILE MINEIELOR DE LA BUDA DIN 1804 SI 1805
THE XILOGRAPHS OF THE MINEI OF BUDA FROM 1804 AND 1805

Summary/Abstract: At the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, books for the Romanians were printed both in centers situated within the Romanian area (Bucharest, Iasi, Buzau, Râmnic, Blaj, Sibiu, Brasov, Manastirea Neamt a. s. o.) and abroad (Vienna, Buda a. s. o.). Among the typographies of that time, the one of Buda held an important position, the Romanians from everywhere deriving profit from its output. About 200 books, having various themes, were printed in Buda, for the Romanians, between 1780 and 1830. Mineiul Mare, covering 12 months, printed in two editions 1804 and 1805 is the most monumental book printed in Buda’s printing house. It contains the biggest title sheet existing in any of the books printed in that typography, which is also taken again in Octoih, 1811, Triod and Strastnic, 1816. The other seven illustrations of Minei (Crucifixion, Annunciation, The Forty Martyrs, Constantine and Helen, Dormition of the Virgin, Samuel and Saul and Sf. Nicholas) have neither been reproduced (excepting the one that represents Constantine and Helen) nor commented on (excepting the title sheet) in the speciality bibliography up to the present. As we have tried to demonstrate, besides the Minei’s text which is influenced by that of Râmnic from 1776-1780, we consider that most of the illustrations proceed from the same source. The documents of Buda’s printing house prove that the xilographs of Minei were achieved by Carolus Fridericus Hederich Frigyes who worked in this typography at that time, as a printer, learning the trade of woodcutting by himself, who also made some wood vignettes. The graphic material of Minei proves that it is traditional (of Byzantine type) both thematically and interpretatively. The illustration Annunciation makes an exception to the rule as itsoccidental influence is more prominent. Other exceptions can be found in certain details of other illustrations such as the rendering of the houses in Dormition of the Virgin.

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