Historical Religious Manuscripts

A collection of illuminated manuscripts featuring biblical scenes and figures, showcasing vibrant colors, detailed illustrations, and various historical styles from different centuries.

The Crucifixion; Bruges (possibly), Belgium; mid-1200s; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 23.5 x 16.5 cm (9 1,4 x 6 1,2 in.)

Saint Matthew. Mesrop of Khizan (Armenian, active 1605 - 1651)

German 15th Century, The Denial of Peter, c 1455 1465 The Denial of Peter

SACRAMENTARIO PAPAL- SIG.730,F82(305x195) CRUCIFIXION. ESCRITO EN ROMA.S XII. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. JESUS. VIRGIN MARY. SAN JUAN EVANGELISTA Y APOSTOL.

Initial D: Souls in the Bosom of Abraham; Würzburg, Germany; about 1240 - 1250; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and silver leaf on parchment; Leaf: 22.7 x 15.7 cm (8 15,16 x 6 3,16 in.)

CODEX AUREUS-LIBRO DE LOS EVANGELIOS-SAN MARCOS EVANGELISTA-S XI-MINIATURA CAROLINGIA. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

FUERO DE SORIA-CALVARIO EN MINIO BERMELLON Y VIOLADO-S XIV-MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. VIRGIN MARY. CRISTO CRUCIFICADO. SAN JUAN EVANGELISTA Y APOSTOL.

Historiated Initial (H) Excised from an Antiphonary: SS. Paul the Hermit and Anthony, c. 1200-1230. Italy, (Naples), 13th century. Ink and tempera on parchment; sheet: 11 x 8 cm (4 5/16 x 3 1/8 in.).

Saint Mark. Date/Period: 1615. Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on glazed paper. Width: 17.1 cm. Height: 23 cm. Author: UNKNOWN.

The Crucifixion; Bruges (possibly), Belgium; mid-1200s; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 23.5 x 16.5 cm (9 1,4 x 6 1,2 in.)

The Ascension. Unknown

Monastic consecration of Saint Abraham of Rostov. Fresco of the Church of Saint John The Apostle in Rostov Kremlin, Ancient Russian frescos

Jesus surrounded by family and the Trinity; 1787 (1787-00-00-1787-00-00);Anna (Saint), God Father (iconogr.), Holy Spirit (iconogr.), Jesus Christ, Joachim (Saint), Józef (Saint), Krzyżanowska, collection, Maria (Mother of Jesus Christ), Holy Trinity, Purchase (provenance)

Praying Saint (Moses ) with Christ in a Historiated Initial L , from a Choirbook 1290-1310 Italy. Manuscript cutting in tempera and gold leaf, with gothica textura inscriptions in light black ink, verso, ruled in red, on parchment . Neri da Rimini

Vocation of Peter and Andrew, the Apostles, miniature from Rotulus Exultet (Easter Proclamation), manuscript, 14th Century.

The Annunciation. Date/Period: Probably 1170s. Folio. Tempera colors, gold leaf, silver leaf, and ink on parchment. Height: 282 mm (11.10 in); Width: 189 mm (7.44 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Saint Benedict (480-547). Founder of the Religious Order of the Benedictines. Cassino Lectionary of the saints Benedict, Saint Mauro and Saint Scholastica. Miniature of the Folio 2r. Desiderio presents the codex to Saint Benedict, around 1070. Vatican Apostolic Library.

page from the Skevra Evangeliary (Lviv Evangeliary 1198. An Evangeliary or evangelion is a liturgical book containing those portions of the four gospels which are read during Mass or in the public offices of the Church

Leaf from a Beatus Manuscript: Christ in Majesty with Angels and the Angel of God Directs Saint John to Write the Book of Revelation. Culture: Spanish. Dimensions: Overall (folio): 17 1/2 x 11 13/16 in. (44.4 x 30 cm)Mat: 22 x 16 in. (55.9 x 40.6 cm). Date: ca. 1180.Illustrated Beatus manuscripts bring to life an extraordinary vision of the end of the world, as recorded by Saint John in the Apocalypse (Book of Revelation) and filtered through the lens of Beatus of Liébana, an eighth-century Asturian monk. These manuscripts are unique to medieval Spain and a testament to the pervasive artistry and intellectual milieu of monastic culture there. The leaf shown here comes from a manuscript disassembled in the 1870s.In the lower register, the angel of God directs Saint John to write the Apocalypse (Book of Revelation): "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified by sending his angel to h

The martyrdom of St Denis, 1317. On the orders of Sisinnius, St Denis is martyred on a brazier, watched by St Eleutherius and St Rusticus. Manuscript illustration from a work on the life of St Denis (died c258 AD), written by Yves, a monk at the Abbey of St Denis. The book depicts the torture and martyrdom of the saint by the Roman governor Fescenninus Sisinnius. The lower scene depicts people on the bridge over the River Seine, showing a cowman and his cattle, and a miller carrying a sack of flour. From the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. The artist is unknown.

Pentecost; York perhaps (illuminated), Northern, England; illumination about 1190; written about 1490; Tempera colors and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf: 11.9 x 17 cm (4 11,16 x 6 11,16 in.)

Portrait of Matthew in gold frame on purple background, with gold, green, and other colors. 900 - 999. Manuscripts, Illuminations. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Lectionaries, Matthew, the Apostle, Saint

Fresco titled 'Life of St. Amand' depicting scenes from the life of the Saint. Dated 12th century.

Massacre if the Innocents. Herod the Great sitiing in the throne. Miniature. Psalter, 15th century.

Leaf from a Psalter: The Crucifixion, c. 1300-1330. Flanders, Liège, 14th century. Ink, tempera and gold on vellum; leaf: 9.4 x 7.3 cm (3 11/16 x 2 7/8 in.).

Byzantine art. The Monk James (James of Kokkinobaphos) Homilies on the Virgin (12th century). Ascension (centre), David (right, wearing crown) and Isiah (left). Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale.

SACRAMENTARIO DE S CUGAT-CRUCIFIXION. Location: ARCHIVO DE LA CORONA DE ARAGON. Barcelona. SPAIN.

Saint Luke; Mesrop of Khizan (Armenian, active 1605 - 1651); Isfahan, Persia; 1615; Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on glazed paper; Leaf: 23 x 17.1 cm (9 1,16 x 6 3,4 in.)

Manuscript Leaf Showing an Illuminated Initial A and The Resurrection second half of 14th-early 15th century North Italian. Manuscript Leaf Showing an Illuminated Initial A and The Resurrection 32833

Miniature from Uldaric's Sacramentary, 11th Century, 1042-1045, illumination,

Annunciation / book illustr. / 13th c.

The Vespasian Psalter. King David composes Psalms, 725 AD. ENGLAND.

The Deposition. Unknown

Altar frontal from Cardet. Date/Period: Second half of 13th century. Painting. Tempera, stucco reliefs and remains of varnished metal plate on wood. Height: 970 mm (38.18 in); Width: 1,620 mm (63.77 in). Author: IOHANNES.

LIBRO DE HORAS-ULTIMA CENA-TRAICION DE JUDAS ISCARIOTE-MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. JUDAS ISCARIOTE (3 ac-30 dc).

Saint Luke, miniature from the Ada Gospels, manuscript, 9th Century.

BIBLIA DE SAN LUIS DE FRANCIA - 1226/34 - EL SUEÑO DE JACOB - SIGLO XIII - MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: CATEDRAL-BIBLIOTECA. Toledo. SPAIN. Jacob. DIOS PADRE. PADRE ETERNO. ISAAC HIJO DE. ESAU HERMANO DE.

Russian Slavonic, Orthodox Christian miniature illustrating the Apocalypse of St John. Circa 1750

Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian. Tempera painting by a Greek painter.

England: Miniature painting of a scribe, thought to be the Venerable Bede (627 - 735), Prose Life of Cuthbert, late 12th Century, British Museum

St. Francis wakes a Child. c. 1335. ( by Taddeo Gaddi; 1290 - 1366 Florence)

Christ in Majesty; Hildesheim, Germany, Europe; probably 1170s; Tempera colors, gold leaf, silver leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 28.2 × 18.9 cm (11 1,8 × 7 7,16 in.)

CARTULARIO DEL SIGLO XII - ORDOÑO II (871-924) REY DE GALICIA DESDE EL 910 AL 924 Y REY DE LEON DESDE EL 914 AL 924 - LIBRO DE LAS ESTAMPAS. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO. LEON. SPAIN.

MISSAL SIG.41 - E 50V SIZE 24X17,5 CM -CRUCIFIXION. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO CAPITULAR. Tortosa. TARRAGONA. SPAIN. CRISTO CRUCIFICADO.

Decorated Text Page; York perhaps (illuminated), Northern, England; illumination about 1190; written about 1490; Tempera colors and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf: 11.9 x 17 cm (4 11,16 x 6 11,16 in.)

Palermo, Sicily. Gold mosaic tiles depicting religious figures in the Palatine Chapel. (Editorial Use Only)

Eadwine the Scribe, c mid 12th century. Artist: Unknown

Saint Lawrence and Saint Damasus, miniature from the Bible of Helmarshausen, manuscript, 12th Century.

Doubting Thomas. Date/Period: Ca. 1190 - 1200. Folio. Tempera colors and gold leaf on parchment. Height: 119 mm (4.68 in); Width: 170 mm (6.69 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

MISAL MS.11 ARCHIVO CAPITULAR DE TORTOSA. CALVARIO.

Pentecost. Date/Period: Probably 1170s. Folio. Tempera colors, gold leaf, silver leaf, and ink on parchment. Height: 282 mm (11.10 in); Width: 189 mm (7.44 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Scenes from the Life of Christ: Arrest of Christ, Christ in Limbo; Descent from the Cross, Preparation of Christ's Body for His Entombment. Culture: Spanish. Dimensions: Overall (a): 41 3/8 x 15 5/8 x 13/16 in. (105.1 x 39.7 x 2.1 cm)Overall (b): 41 1/2 x 16 3/8 x 13/16 in. (105.4 x 41.6 x 2.1 cm). Date: 13th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Fall of Lucifer & Creation of Eve/c.1360

Christ in glory surrounded by prophets, miniature from Commentary by Saint Jerome on Daniel, manuscript from Citeaux, 12th Century.

God the Father, 1545. God enthroned, hand raised in blessing. At the corners are the symbols of the four Evangelists: Angel of St Matthew, Lion of St Mark, Eagle of St John, and Ox of St Luke. Miniature from a 16th century French Missal with text of the Lyons liturgy. Private collection.

Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, fresco cycle on the life of Mary by Ottaviano Nelli, 1408-13, Gothic, San Francesco, Gubbio, Province of Perugia, Umbria, Italy, Europe

LITERATURA CATALANA. S. XIII. RAMON DEL BRUC DEL SANT ESPERIT. Miniatura de la "BIBLIA SACRA", escrita y miniada por dicho Maestro. ESCRITORIO DE VIC, año 1268. Manuscrito 4, folio 273, letra miniada que representa al autor escribiendo, inspirado en el Espíritu Santo. Archivo de la Catedral de Vic. Cataluña.

Saint Matthew; Malnazar (Armenian, active about 1630s), and Aghap'ir (Armenian, active about 1630s); Isfahan, Persia; 1637 - 1638; Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf: 25.2 x 18.3 cm (9 15,16 x 7 3,16 in.)

Russian Slavonic, Orthodox Christian miniature illustrating the Apocalypse of St John. Circa 1750

David and Joel. Unknown

A Man Enthroned within a Mandorla in a Tree. Unknown

Saint John the Evangelist. Date/Period: 1637 - 1638. Folio. Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment. Height: 252 mm (9.92 in); Width: 183 mm (7.20 in). Author: Malnazar.

Adoration of the Magi ca. 1235-50 Southern Germany or Austria Southern Germany or Austria This leaf was detached from a psalter (now in the Universitätsbibliothek, Innsbruck, Austria). Psalters contain the Book of Psalms, often supplemented with other devotional material. As is the case with many manuscript illuminations of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the artists name is not preserved. His style is characterized by a preference for red, blue, and green and by a delicate use of red paint to create shadow on the faces, necks, and hands. Here, the Virgin and child are seated upon a throne as the magi approach.. Adoration of the Magi. Southern Germany or Austria. Southern German or Austrian. ca. 1235-50. Tempera and gold and silver leaf on parchment. Manuscripts and Illuminations

Frescoes, Holy Dormition Cathedral, The Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, Sergiev Posad, Golden Ring, Moscow Oblast, Russia, Europe

Hans Burgkmair I, Christ on the Cross with the Virgin and Saint John Christ on the Cross with the Virgin and Saint John

BIBLIA S XIII- TOMO I -MOISES CONVIERTE SU BACULO EN SERPIENTE ANTE EL FARAON-MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: ACADEMIA DE LA HISTORIA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Spanish school. Commentary on the Apocalypse of Saint Sever: Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Codex 33, folio 92 R. Madrid, Academy of History. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA (730-798). Location: ACADEMIA DE LA HISTORIA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. SAN MARCO EVANGELISTA. SAN JUAN EVANGELISTA Y APOSTOL. SAN LUCAS EVANGELISTA. SAN MATEO APOSTOL Y EVANGELISTA.

Historiated Initial (P) Excised from a Gradual: The Nativity, c. 1350-1375. Attributed to Lippo Vanni (Italian). Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment; sheet: 10 x 11 cm (3 15/16 x 4 5/16 in.).

A colored woodcut from around 1460 by an anonymous artist depicting Saint Anna Selbdritt with the Virgin Mary and Child, showing figures and drapery details.

The Kiss of Judas, miniature from the Book of Hours (Use of Poitiers), Latin and French manuscript illustrated by a student of Robinet Testard, manuscript 1097 folio 76 recto, France end of 15th Century.

Initial Salve sancta parens from a Gradual: Madonna and Child, c. 1370-1374. Don Silvestro dei Gherarducci (Italian, 1339-1399). Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; sheet: 16 x 13 cm (6 5/16 x 5 1/8 in.). Along with several other excised leaves and miniatures that survive in various libraries and museums, this decorated initial S was part of a magnificent gradual produced in the scriptorium of the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence. The Madonna and Child was a standard image for the Saturday votive Mass to the Virgin. This initial originally introduced the text: Salve sancta parens (“Hail, Holy Mother”).

A 13th-century manuscript illumination, the earliest known depiction of Thomas Becket's assassination in Canterbury Cathedral, circa 1200

LIBRO DE LOS TESTAMENTOS - 1109-1122 - MANUSCRITO 1-PAGINA MINIADA - SIGLO XII. Location: CATEDRAL DE SAN SALVADOR-INTERIOR. Oviedo. ASTURIAS. SPAIN.

Cutting from an antiphonary: Prophet in an initial“I”. Artist, circle of: Master of the Murano Gradual, Italian, Venetian, active 15th century

The Dream of Joseph/The Angel Appearing to Herod. Unknown

Solomon Writing. Date/Period: 1637 - 1638. Folio. Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment. Height: 252 mm (9.92 in); Width: 183 mm (7.20 in). Author: Malnazar.

The Annunciation. Unknown

Saint Amand in Paradise surrounded by two virtues: the love of God and love of the neighbour, miniatures from the Lives and Miracles of Saint Amand, France 11th Century.

Jehoiada annoints Joash / Illumination

el profeta Elias, Weremien, siglo XVII, museo de los iconos, castillo Real, Sanok, Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland, Eastern Europe

San Ermengol de Urgel, Liber feudorum Ceritaniae, cartulario de la corona catalanoaragonesa en lo referente a la Cerdeña y a las posesiones ultrapirineicas, siglo XII. Museum: ARCHIVO DE LA CORONA DE ARAGON, Barcelona, SPAIN.

"Colored current-cut print by Monogrammist d, from the beginning of the second half of the 15th century, showing Christ receiving the cross, with figures and symbolic elements."

SALTERIO-JESUS ENTRA EN JERUSALEN. VIT23-8 F162. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION, MADRID, SPAIN.

The baptism of Jesus by Saint John the Baptist, Romanesque painted ceiling, c. 1150, Grisons canton, Switzerland, detail

Slovenia: 15th century fresco by John of Kastav (Johannes de Castua) showing Adam and Eve expelled from Paradise, a scene from the Creation of the Earth (Genesis, Old Testament) in the vault of the central nave, Holy Trinity Church, Hrastovlje, Rizana Valley

The hierarchy of divine love, miniature from the Breviary of Love, by Matfre Ermengau, Provencale Code Manuscript folio 11 recto, France late 13th Century-Early 14th Century.

ANTIFONARIO DE LEON - MANUSCRITO MOZARABE DEL SIGLO XI - NATIVIDAD. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO. LEON. SPAIN. INFANT JESUS. VIRGIN MARY. SAN JOSE ESPOSO DE LA VIRGEN MARIA.

Arthur, 6th century semi-legendary Christian king of Britons, United Britons against Saxons whom he defeated c516 at battle of Badon Hill, After late 14th century tapestry,

Russian Orthodox miniature depicting a scene from the Apocalypse of Saint John. Circa 1750

George E Rhone, Retablo The Holy Family, c 1938 Retablo - The Holy Family

Baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Miniature. 15th century. Chantilly Castle. France.

COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS - BEATO DEL ESCORIAL - ENGEL ENTREGANDO UN LIBRO A SAN JUAN Y LOS CASTIGOS DE LOS ADORADORES DE LA BESTIA - SIGLO X. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA (730-798). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. SAN JUAN EVANGELISTA Y APOSTOL.

Abraham of Rostov destroys the Veles's statue. Fresco of the Church of Saint John The Apostle in Rostov Kremlin, Ancient Russian frescos

Rood screen balustrade, Elisabeth legend, St., Saint, Saint

Saint Mark; Constantinople, Turkey; late 13th century; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold ink, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 21 x 14.9 cm (8 1,4 x 5 7,8 in.)

The Saviour Sitting on the Throne 15th Century, Painting Icon Novgorod, Russia

LIBRO DE HORAS-REY MAGO,VIRGEN Y NINO. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. INFANT JESUS. VIRGIN MARY.

fine arts, religious art, angels, Saint Michael, Abraham Tapestry, 12th century, Halberstadt Cathedral,

Saint Luke; Malnazar (Armenian, active about 1630s), and Aghap'ir (Armenian, active about 1630s); Isfahan, Persia; 1637 - 1638; Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf: 25.2 x 18.3 cm (9 15,16 x 7 3,16 in.)

First Crusade (1096-1099): The crusader armies crossed over into Asia Minor during the first half of 1097. The first objective of their campaign was Nicaea, previously a city under Byzantine rule, but which had become the capital of the Seljuq Sultanate of Rum under Kilij Arslan I. On the Crusaders' arrival, the city was subjected to a lengthy siege, and when Arslan had word of it he rushed back to Nicaea and attacked the crusader army on 16 May. He was driven back by the unexpectedly large crusader force, with heavy losses being suffered on both sides in the ensuing battle. The siege continued, but the crusaders had little success as they found they could not blockade the lake upon which the city was situated, and from which it could be provisioned. In order to break the city, Alexios sent the Crusaders ships rolled over land on logs, and at the sight of them the Turkish garrison finally surrendered on 18 June.

Pentecost. Unknown

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