The book woodcut shows Hrabanus from the side as he sits writing at a desk. He is wearing a bishop’s coat and hat. His crook is leaning against the wall behind him. Several books are lying and upright in a wall niche and on a cushion. On the desk is another book with a chain, as well as an hourglass. This depiction of a learned bishop is framed by columns, acanthus leaves, several coats of arms and a scroll. At the bottom of the woodcut is the coat of arms of Mainz above which is a ribbon with the inscription RABANVS MAV. ARCH. MOGUN DCCC.LV. (Rabanus Maurus Archiepiscopus Moguntinus 855).