Martin Luther’s (1483–1546) translation of the Bible into German, begun in 1521, was first published as a complete edition in 1534. Richly illustrated folio editions subsequently appeared on the market. Wealthy owners had their copies hand-coloured and bound in sumptuous bindings. The present Luther Bible from the Liberna Collection has a magnificent binding of medium brown cowhide with brass clasps and corners on seven double cords. It is the work of Paul Droscher from Waldenburg, who was active in Wittenberg in the last quarter of the 16th century. Full-length portraits of Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon, framed within embossed, in part coloured and gilded borders, adorn the front and back covers respectively. Inside, too, the decoration of this Luther Bible is particularly opulent: 220 hand-coloured and in part signed woodcuts by Hans Brosamer and Johann Teuffel illustrate the biblical text.