The Illustrations in the Glagolitic Books Printed by Bishop Šimun Kožičić Benja in Rijeka (1530–1531)

Abstract

The Glagolitic printing office in Rijeka was established by Bishop Šimun Kožičić Benja at the end of the year 1530 and in about six or seven months published six books in the Glagolitic script. As a group, these books contain six illustrations and a set of historiated Latin initials that connects them with contemporary Venetian publications and book design. By examining books printed in Venice during the first decades of the 16th century, the author has identified models for most of the illustrations and the initials printed by Kožičić. The illustrations used in books printed in Rijeka are analysed regarding their stylistic and iconographical features, and interpreted as carefully chosen elements of a visual program that reflects the idea of Kožičić’s publishing undertaking.