The Orbis Pictus
The Orbis Pictus, first published at Nuremberg in 1658, is Johann Amos Comenius's picture encyclopedia for children and is often called the first illustrated schoolbook. Each of its more than one hundred and fifty short lessons pairs a woodcut with a text in which every numbered object in the picture is named, here in Latin and English side by side, so that pupils learn words and things together. The lessons move from God and the world, the elements, plants and animals to the human body, the trades, the house, the city, the arts and sciences, morals, government and religion. This is Charles Hoole's English translation of 1659, in the American edition of C. W. Bardeen with an essay on Comenius. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Orbis Pictus
The Orbis Pictus by Johann Amos Comenius can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Orbis Pictus online?
Yes. The Orbis Pictus opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Orbis Pictus free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Orbis Pictus is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Orbis Pictus in the public domain?
Yes. The Orbis Pictus by Johann Amos Comenius is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Charles Hoole. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Orbis Pictus?
About 2 h 27 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Orbis Pictus?
The Orbis Pictus by Johann Amos Comenius is filed under "Children's Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
