Tomáš Gaudek

Misál Racka z Bířkova. Provenience rukopisu ÖNB cod. 1850

This article examines codex no. 1850 in the Austrian National Library, one of a number of works known as the Missale Pragense. The art historical analysis focuses on the Master of the Antwerp Bible and his contribution to the codex and attempts to prove that the zodiac medallions in the opening calendarium part of this codex is his latest surviving work. The article also looks at the Master of the Krumlov Speculum, who is the dominant master in the main part of the codex, and proposes the following chronology of his works: the Gerona Martyrology (Museo Diocesano di Girona, Girona, M. D. no. 273) - pre-1414; the Krumlov Speculum (Library of the National Museum, Prague, sign. III B 10) - circa 1414 or slightly later; then codex no. 1850. Another important codex associated with the Master of the Krumlov Speculum is the Boskovice Bible (Research Library in Olomouc, sign. M III 3), which the author dates analogically as having originated in 1414-1419. The author suggests that a close connection exists between the missal and the altar commemorating Archbishop Zbyněk Zajíc of Házmburk, founded in Prague's St Vitus Cathedral in 1415 by the archbishop's brother, and there are two facts in support of this theory. First, there is a requiem to Archbishop Zbyněk at the end of the codex. Second, the coat of arms behind the donor in folio 70r can be linked to Racek of Bířkov, the only documented altarist (in Latin altarista, the priest who attends at an altar) served at the altar of the Házmburk chapel, as a similar coat of arms can be found on sigillographic artefacts from the Racek family. Because the donor is depicted in the folio without the almuce of a canon, the author reasons that the Missal was completed no later than 1418, in which year Racek joined the canons of St Vitus. Codex no. 1850 can thus hereafter be called the Missal of Racek of Bířkov (Missale Rackonis altaristae), or just the Missal of Racek of Bířkov, and can be dated to 1415-1418.

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