The Following of Christ, 1616
Thomas à Kempis; Publisher: Henry Iayeexpand_more
Bookexpand_more
39.46 Gift of Mrs. John Washburnexpand_more 30.1
Not on Viewexpand_more
After the Bible, De Imitatione Christi (The Imitation of Christ) ranks among the most popular Christian devotional works ever produced. It offers detailed instructions on spiritual devotion and explanations about Christian doctrine. Although the book was written anonymously between 1418 and 1420, Thomas a Kempis, an Augustinian monk living in the Netherlands, has long been credited as the author. It circulated in manuscript form for some 50 years before being published in Germany in 1471. Since then, well over 2,000 editions have appeared across the globe.
This rare copy was published in Flanders in 1616 for the English market, with the slightly amended title The Following of Christ. The pocket-sized scale made it convenient to carry around. The binding, luxuriously adorned in silver-embroidered red velvet has worn thin from frequent and fervent use, indicating how much its previous owner treasured it.
Details
- Title
- The Following of Christ
- Artist Life
- 1380–1471
- Role
- Author
- Accession Number
- 30.1
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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