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Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Hover to magnify, click for fullscreen
Original fileThis engraving presents sixty individual nuns identified by name, arranged in tiers to represent the spiritual community of Hohenburg. On the right, the larger figure of Abbess Herrad holds an open scroll containing a Latin poem encouraging her sisters to despise earthly dust and seek divine contemplation. The base of the image features a lush green landscape labeled 'Mons hohenburc,' symbolizing the physical and spiritual elevation of the abbey.
This is a key plate from the 'Hortus deliciarum' (Garden of Delights), the first encyclopedia composed by a woman, Herrad of Landsberg. It reflects the medieval tradition of 'theoria' (contemplation) and the organization of sacred and profane knowledge that would later influence Western esoteric and pansophic systems.
Congregatio religiosa temporib; Rilindis 7 Herradu' abbay i deseruicio Ihohenbure caritatiue adunata. Herrat hohenburgenfiſ abba p' Rilinda ordinata de monstr' e exempl' ei' in statuta Esto nroq' pia merces xpe labor. Nos electon numerant in sorte tuoy. O mnei flores dantes uirtutis odo res. Semp diuina pau santes in theo ria. Pulvere terreno con tempto curri te celo. Que ne absconsu naleatis cerne re sponsum. Mons hohenburc delitier id est sublimis.
Translation
A religious congregation in the times of Relindis, 7 abbesses of Hohenburg, gathered in charity for the service of God. By the abbess Relindis of Hohenburg, ordered to show her example in statutes. May our labor, O Christ, be a pious reward. Count us in the number of the elect among the lot of your own. O you all giving the flowers of the scents of virtue. Always resting in divine contemplation. With earthly dust despised, run to heaven. That you may be able to see the hidden bridegroom. Mount Hohenburg, that is to say, the sublime.
Hortus deliciarum
This artwork is a facsimile plate from Herrad's 12th-century theological and philosophical compendium.
Object
Engraving
religious
Digital Source
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID bpt6k9400936h
Public domain
3514 × 4650 px
f6df131c09f5de9577396feb7fb3ab94db552b9d
November 7, 2025
March 24, 2026
Linked Data
AI AI-cataloged fields generated by gemini-3-flash-preview on April 2, 2026. Getty identifiers are AI-inferred and may require verification.