Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta: Illuminated Alphabets from the Library of Emperor Rudolf II: An Abecedarium

"Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta" is a flamboyant demonstration of two arts - calligraphy and miniature painting - and was produced in the court of Emperor Rudolf II. This is the second half which comprises two alphabets drawn and illuminated by miniaturist Joris Hoefnagel. One consists of Roman capital letters (majuscules), the other, Gothic lower-case letters (minuscules). Both are ingeniously illustrated by symbols and heraldic objects. They are fully explained with a detailed commentary.