In this study I focus on the reconstruction of the state of the book culture in medieval Louny. This is a closely related question ot the origin of the historiography here. Inicially, I outline the preconditions for reception of the book culture and pursue the milieus where books could be used. I also pay attention to the ancestors of the historiography in this town, which are in important precursor to their fully developed forms. Finally, I deal with the oldest annals that originated in Louny.
The paper focuses on the patronage of Cardinal Jacoppo Stefaneschi (died 1343) viewed from the perspective of book and monumental painting in the context of more general problems. First it analyses the relationship between the aesthetically discerning patron and Giotto, a celebrated artist tending towards a different style orientation and then it outlines some conceivable ramifications of this association for the further development of Giotto´s workshop. It examines the possible iconographic significance of the Stefaneschi altar in the period political context, and following this proposes more precise dating of the Stefaneschi Triptych and the Codex of St George. This layer of Italian art is immensely inspiring for the subsequent development of Bohemian painting in the period of the Luxembourgs.