The Luther Bible of 1534

Bible Stories. Martin Luther’s revolutionary publication

Martin Luther’s Bible, first printed in 1534, was not only a milestone in publishing but also a seismic moment in world history, democratizing Christianity like never before, and providing printed reference for a whole new branch of faith: Protestantism. This splendid facsimile reveals the multilayered beauty of this UNESCO world heritage masterpiece, showcasing its exquisite script and woodcuts and ornaments from the workshop of Lucas Cranach.

Martin Luther’s Bible, first printed in 1534, was not only a milestone for the printing press, but also a momentous event in world history. A UNESCO world heritage masterpiece, Luther’s translation from Hebrew and ancient Greek into German made the Bible accessible to laypeople and gave printed reference to a whole new branch of Christian faith: Protestantism.

In this meticulous two-volume reprint, TASCHEN presents a complete facsimile of the Luther Bible. Based on a precious copy of the original and printed in colour, it reveals the multilayered splendour of this publication, showcasing the meticulous script, elaborate initials, and exquisite colour woodcuts from the workshop of Lucas Cranach.

In an accompanying booklet, Stephan Füssel, director of the Institute for Book Sciences at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, adds his expertise to the publication with detailed descriptions of the illustrations, as well as an introduction exploring Luther’s life and the seismic significance of his bible.