After spending a month at the National Museum in Warsaw, the Gutenberg Bible has returned home to Pelplin. Mirosław Nizio, together with the Diocese and the Museum of Sacred Art, welcomed the Bible during a scholarly conference.
How can one of the most valuable books in the world be integrated into an exhibition space, while also telling the story of the historical and cultural context of the place in which the museum is located? What design solutions can highlight this unique artifact while also giving appropriate meaning and context to other outstanding works of sacred art that are an integral part of the diocesan museum’s collection?
These questions are key to the design process of the new permanent exhibition at the Museum of the Gutenberg Bible and Sacred Art in Pelplin. The aim of the exhibition is not only to present the Bible itself but also to create a space that enables visitors to gain a deep understanding of the Gutenberg Bible as an icon of printing history, as well as of the broader cultural, religious, and social context in which it was created.
An important aspect of this project is embedding the exhibition in the context of Pelplin – a place with a rich religious and historical tradition, which forms a natural backdrop for this unique collection. On one hand, the intention is for the Gutenberg Bible to be the focal point of the exhibition, standing out in a way that emphasizes its value not only as an artifact, but also as a symbol of the social and cultural transformations of the early Renaissance. On the other hand, it is equally important that the other exhibits, particularly works of sacred art, are treated with the same care and respect, highlighting their spiritual and artistic significance.
