Manuscript Illumination Collection (#8)

AZTEC: MUSIC AND DANCE. Aztecs dancing and playing the drums during the One Flower Festival. Illumination from the Codex Florentino, c1540, compiled by Bernardino de Sahagun

PRINCESS OLGA OF KIEV (c890-969). Regent of Kievan Rus, 945-c963, and Russian Orthodox saint. St. Olga being welcomed at the imperial court in Constaninople by Emperor Constantine VII as Russias

CLEMENCY OF CYRUS. King Cyrus the Great of Persia allows Jews in captivity in Babylon to return to the Holy Land, 6th century B.C

HELL: PUNISHMENT. Demons punish sinners in hell. Manuscript illumination, French, early 15th century, from the St. Vincent de Beauvais Chronicles

SHOPS ON A MEDIEVAL STREET. French manuscript illumination, 15th century

RABBI GAMALIEL (1st CENTURY). Head of the Sanhedrin and teacher of Paul the Apostle. Marginal portait from a Greek Haggadah, probably from Crete, c1583

RICHARD I & SALADIN. King Richard I of England (left) in combat with Saladin. Illumination from Luttrell Psalter, c1340

PILGRIMS TO CANTERBURY. Detail of an English illuminated manuscript, c1400

GUTENBERG BIBLE, 15th CENT. A page from one of the forty-six existing copies of the Gutenberg Bible printed at Mainz, Germany, between 1450 and 1456

SHAH JAHAN (1592-1666). Mughal emperor of India. At age 25 holding a turban jewel. Persian manuscript illumination, 1617

LOUIS THE PIOUS (778-840). Holy Roman Emperor Louis I, known as Louis the Pious. Manuscript illumination, c840, from Rabanus Maurus De laudibus sanctae crucis ( In praise of the holy cross )

KING ARTHUR. Top: Prince Arthur drawing the sword out of the stone. Bottom: Arther presenting the sword on the altar as on offering during his coronation. French manuscript illumination, c1290

ALEXANDER & DARIUS. Dying King Darius of Persia being comforted by Alexander the Great. Persian ms. illumination, c1550

THE ANNUNCIATION. French manuscript illumination, late 12th or early 13th century

NEW JERUSALEM. New Jerusalem (Revelation 21: 12). Manuscript illumination, Belgian, from The Apocalypse of Margaret of York, c1475

FOUR HORSEMEN. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1479

EXODUS: aRON. Aarons rod becomes a serpent (Exodus 7: 10-13). French manuscript, c1250

DAY THREE OF CREATION (Genesis 1: 9-13). French manuscript illumination, c1250

MOSES ON MOUNT SINAI. Illumination from a Byzantine bible, c900-950

DAVID, THE YOUNG SHEPHERD. Playing his pipe and a bell (I Samuel xvi: 5-11): French manuscript illumination, c1250

SODOM & GOMORRAH. Lots wife is turned into a pillar of salt when she stops to watch the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as Lot and his daughters continue to flee (Genesis 19: 26)

DELILAH SHEARING SAMSON. Delilah shears his locks from Samson (Judges 16: 17-19). French manuscript illumination, c1250

SIR GAWAIN ON THE MAGIC BED. Miniature from a 13th century manuscript of the Arthurian Romances

KING ARTHUR & GUINEVERE. Lancelot, Guinevere, King Arthur and magic chessboard. French manuscript illumination, early 14th century

GUTENBERG BIBLE. A page of Johann Gutenbergs 42-line Latin Bible printed at Mainz between 1453 and 1456. Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon

ENGLAND: THRESHING WHEAT. Threshing wheat with a flail. English manuscript illumination, late 13th century

Rendering of an ancient Roman hospital, more accurately depicting a medieval one
SPAIN: MEDIEVAL HOSPITAL. Rendering of an ancient Roman hospital, more accurately depicting a medieval one. Manuscript illumination, 13th century, from the Cantigas of Alfonso X

Manuscript illumination from Maqamat of al-Hariri, by Muhammad al-Qasim ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Uthman al-Hariri
HOUR OF BIRTH: ARABIC MS. Manuscript illumination from Maqamat of al-Hariri, by Muhammad al-Qasim ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Uthman al-Hariri, 1237 A.D

Mowing, raking, and stacking hay on the outskirts of Paris in June. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of
BOOK OF HOURS: JUNE. Mowing, raking, and stacking hay on the outskirts of Paris in June. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry

Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry
GARDEN OF EDEN: ADAM & EVE. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the " Tres Riches Heures" of Jean, Duke of Berry

DAY TWO OF CREATION. (Genesis: 6-8). French manuscript illumination, c1250

ADAM & EVE, c1215. Fall of Man, Expulsion from Paradise: illumination from an English Psalter, c1215

ADAM AND EVE. The Fall (Genesis 3: 1-6). French manuscript illumination, c1250

ASTRONOMERS atop Mount Athos, Greece, study the heavens with the aid of astrolabes while others record their readings: 15th century ms. illumination

KNIGHT, 14th CENTURY. An armed knight of Prato. Manuscript illustration, Italian, 14th century

A HOSPITAL. Illumination from a 13th century translation of a treatise by Avicenna

MEDIEVAL WARFARE, c1250. Sauls destruction of Nahash and the Ammonites (I Samuel 11: 11)
MEDIEVAL WARFARE, c1250. Sauls destruction of Nahash and the Ammonites (I Samuel 11:11), represented as an assault by medieval knights on a fortified town. French manuscript illumination, c1250

Charles the Bold, dressed in black in mourning for Philip the Good, Mid of the 15th cen. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

Medea kills her son, ca 1470. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

The army of Alexander the Great fights the Giants, 1448. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

The battle against the infidels. The Fall of Constantinople, 1453, 1462-1465. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

Orpheus torn by the Maenads, c. 1480. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

Bal des Ardents, ca 1470-1475. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

The Hell, after 1454. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que royale de Belgique

The Fall of the Rebel Angels, ca 1470. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

The Earthly Paradise, ca 1460. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que royale de Belgique

Saint Christopher. (From: Livre d heures a l usage de Rome), Between 1409 and 1419. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

Scenes from the Life of Saint John the Evangelist, Early 15th cen. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

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"Manuscript Illumination: A Glimpse into the Artistry of the Ages" Step back in time and explore the captivating world of manuscript illumination, where intricate illustrations breathe life into ancient texts. From epic tales to religious scriptures, these illuminated masterpieces offer a visual feast for the eyes, transporting us to different eras and cultures. In Dante's Divine Comedy frontispiece, we witness the poet himself immersed in his visionary journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. The Battle of Agincourt unfolds before our eyes as archers take their stance against cavalry in a French manuscript from the 15th century. The Lindisfarne Gospels reveal Saint Matthew's portrait with meticulous detail dating back to 700 AD. Turning its pages further reveals St. John's Gospel beginning before 698 AD - a testament to enduring craftsmanship. Traveling across France's Loire Valley, we stumble upon an enchanting grape harvest at Chateau de Saumur depicted in Jean Duke of Berry's Tres Riches Heures manuscript from the 15th century. This vibrant scene captures both nature's bounty and human labor intertwined harmoniously. Delving deeper into history, a 13th-century French Bible presents God as the great Architect of the Universe through breathtaking illumination. Each stroke conveys divine majesty while inviting contemplation on humanity's place within creation. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales beckon us with their prologue adorned by delicate artistry that sets the stage for storytelling brilliance. Meanwhile, The Book of Dead takes us back over three millennia ago to Ancient Egypt when Hunefer sought guidance for his afterlife journey. King David serenades us with his harp in a miniature illumination from late 13th-century France – an ode to music’s timeless power transcending centuries. Sir Gawain faces temptation by Lady Bercilak while beheading the Green Knight in another mesmerizing manuscript, showcasing the allure of Arthurian legends.