Paracelsus, Pranostijka.
Manuscript, Bohemia, 16th century (BPH M 185)

Czech translation of Paracelsus’ Prognostication auf xxiiii jar zukünfftig, first printed in Augsburg in 1536 (and one of the few works printed during Paracelsus’ lifetime). There is no record of a printed Czech translation. 27 of the 32 woodcuts in the printed edition were copied; the artist also introduced some changes to the composition of the background. All illustrations are coloured, some are heightened in gold. This translation was probably produced early in the reign of Rudolf II, under whose aegis Prague flowered into a centre for Hermetic studies. The Prognostication reflects in veiled terms Paracelsus’ disenchantment with the reformation, which in his view had rapidly become fossilized and had succumbed to dogmatism.