In the Beginning was the Word

Exhibits from the Bible Museum in the Draiflessen Collection exhibition

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The Bible Museum is contributing three exhibits to the recently opened exhibition ‘In the beginning was the Word’ at the Draiflessen Collection in Mettingen. The museum, which was founded by the Brenninkmeijer family of entrepreneurs, endeavours to explore ‘The power of understanding’ in the cabinet exhibition using texts and images from the Bible.

The stamped brick of the Tower of Babel, which dates back to the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BC due to its inscription, symbolises insurmountable communication difficulties between people. A German prayer fragment from the 14th century with the passage John 1:1 and 1:6-13 (‘In dem anbeghynt was dat wort. Und dat wort was by goede.’) is a reminder of the immense power of language. The third exhibit from Münster is a Latin manuscript from the 12th century, which contains the Old and New Testaments on 375 pages.

‘The Bible itself is a fantastic example of the power and powerlessness of the word, of elitist limitation and mass dissemination of knowledge, of marginalisation, access and inclusion,’ says the Draiflessen Collection. It was founded as a meeting place through which experiences can be exchanged and passed on. The centrepiece is the collection of book art and graphic art with a focus on the 15th and 17th centuries of the founding family, which is presented in changing exhibitions.

The exhibition ‘In the beginning was the word’ at the Draiflessen Collection, Georgstraße 18, 49497 Mettingen, can be seen until 4 May 2025. Admission costs 9/6 euros, children and young people under the age of 18 are admitted free of charge.