Print Me a Manuscript! Facsimiles from the Institute of European Art History From Book to Screen

Medieval manuscripts are singular, handmade artifacts. As such, they must be preserved under specific conditions, with the oversight of professional conservators. Gaining access to view such precious artworks is possible largely only within special exhibitions or when necessary for research purposes.

The digitization of manuscripts has numerous advantages in terms of broadening accessibility. Users can compare several books side by side on the screen, and often search functions are available. Zoom tools can bring details into focus, perhaps even surpassing what would be possible when looking at the manuscript itself with the naked eye. On the other hand, significantly zooming in offers a viewing experience vastly different from that of the manuscript’s contemporaries.

The physical format and the materiality of a manuscript cannot be experienced through a digital copy. The feel of the parchment and its exact condition can only be appreciated by examining the original. A digital copy therefore does not replace the manuscript; rather, it complements, and quite literally re-presents, its model.

The digital library you see here allows you to view digitized items from the University Library of Heidelberg, and in some cases the corresponding facsimiles are available in the library’s permanent and special exhibitions. So why not compare these digital and physical copies?