Illuminated Manuscript Decorations

Gorgeous initial letters and scenes from medieval manuscripts, richly adorned with tempera, gold leaf, and intricate illustrations.

Initial L: A Man Clubbing Another Man before a Judge; Unknown, Michael Lupi de Çandiu (Spanish, active Pamplona, Spain 1297 - 1305); Northeastern Spain, Spain; about 1290 - 1310; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 36.5 x 24 cm (14 3,8 x 9 7,16 in.)

Calendar Page for June; Mowing; Cancer. Follower of the Egerton Master (French / Netherlandish, active about 1405 - 1420)

Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis Unknown. Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis, ca. 1425-1460. Manuscript in opaque watercolor and ink with gold, book: 8 × 5 3/4 × 2 3/8 in. (20.3 × 14.6 cm). European Art ca. 1425-1460

Simonides Consulting the Oracle of Apollo; Ghent, Belgium; about 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 43.8 × 30.5 cm (17 1,4 × 12 in.)

Attributed to an unknown author identified only as Pseudo-Callisthenes, 'The Romance of Alexander' was first produced in Greek between 200-300 CE from written accounts and stories derived from the oral tradition. Although notionally a history of Alexander the Great (d. 323 BC), it is really a mixture of legend and fact that raised the already remarkable accomplishments of Alexander's thirty two years of life to mythological status. The original Greek manuscript (of which there were actually three editions) is now lost, but it was subsequently translated into the Syriac, Armenian and Pahlavi languages, -- each introducing its own variations -- contributing stories to the Qur'an, inspiring Persian poetry and giving rise to its retranslation and dissemination throughout the Middle East. An early Latin version was the basis for translation into the vernacular languages of Europe where it became established as a popular Medieval tradition.

Illustration from Horae in laudem Virginis Mariae, plate 64 from Woodcuts from Books of the XVI Century 1524-1525 France. Woodcut on paper . Geoffrey Tory

A Man Hawking; Zodiacal Sign of Gemini. Date/Period: Early 1460s. Folio. Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment. Height: 256 mm (10.07 in); Width: 173 mm (6.81 in). Author: Workshop of Willem Vrelant.

Illustration from Officium B.M.V., plate 62 from Woodcuts from Books of the XVI Century 1505 France. Metalcut on paper . Unknown artist

Inhabited Initial S; Montecassino, Italy; 1153; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 19.2 x 13.2 cm (7 9,16 x 5 3,16 in.)

Constellation; Oxford (probably), England; late 14th century, shortly after 1386; Pen and black ink and tempera on parchment bound between pasteboard covered with black morocco; Leaf: 21.3 × 15.2 cm (8 3,8 × 6 in.)

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 228v, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

CANTIGA DE SANTA MARIA Nº296 - F13R - APARICION DE LA VIRGEN A UN MONJE PARA ENSEÑARLE COMO SERVIRLE - MS.B.R2 - SIGLO XIII. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

The Lover Surrounded by Dancers; The God of Love Aiming at the Lover. Unknown

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 263v, Mass of St. Gregory, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

The reed and the olive tree cont.; The wolf and the heron.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection

The Personifications of False Pretence and Abstinence Cutting out Resistance's Tongue. Unknown

The Abduction of Helen. Unknown

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 52r, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 100r, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

Leaning

The Martyrdom of Saint Lucy from Heiligenleben, Sommerteil (Lives of the Saints, Summertime), Plate 20 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century. Unknown Artist (Nuremberg, 15th century); printed and published by Anton Koberger (German, c. 1440/45-1513); original text by Jacobus de Voragine (Italian, c. 1230-1298); portfolio text by Wilhelm Ludwig Schreiber (German, 1855-1932). Date: 1488. Dimensions: 89 x 185 mm (image); 333 x 244 mm (sheet). Woodcut in black with hand-colored additions, and letterpress in black with rubrication, (recto and verso), on cream laid paper, tipped onto cream wove paper mat. Origin: Germany. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Canterbury Tales: Man of Law's Tale (Ellesmere Chaucer) ca. 1400 Artist Unknown Illuminated manuscript The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California, USA

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 202r, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

The Miller The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer (1342-1400 British) The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California

fol. 47v. 1402. Rudolf, von Ems, -approximately 1254. text. Spencer Collection

Saint Wilbolt from Heiligenleben, Winterteil (Lives of the Saints--Wintertime), Plate 3 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century. Unknown Artist (Augsburg, 15th century); printed and published by Johannes (Hans) Baemler (German, 1435-1504); original text by Jacobus de Voragine (Italian, c. 1230-1298); portfolio text by Wilhelm Ludwig Schreiber (German, 1855-1932). Date: 1475. Dimensions: 70 x 80 mm (image); 300 x 206 mm (sheet). Woodcut in black with hand-colored additions, and letterpress in black (recto and verso), on cream laid paper, tipped onto cream wove paper mat. Origin: Germany. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Initial A: David and Companion Musicians. Unknown

Courting; Zodiacal Sign of Gemini; Strasbourg, France; early 16th century; Tempera colors on parchment; Leaf: 13.5 x 10.5 cm (5 5,16 x 4 1,8 in.)

The frogs and the dried-up pond cont.; The old man and death.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection

The pomegranate, the apple, and the olive trees, and the thornbush cont.; The mole and his mother.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection

Alexander the Great under Water.

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 254v, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

Certificate in the hunting lodge Clemenswerth, Emsland, Soegel, Lower Saxony, Germany, Europe

Leaning

Saint Stephen, draughtsman: anonymous, 1400 - 1499, parchment (animal material), brush, h 179 mm × w 111 mm

September Calendar Page; Plowing and Sowing; Scorpio. Workshop of the Master of James IV of Scotland (Flemish, before 1465 - about 1541)

Digestum vetus, by Master of 1328, 14th Century, illuminated manuscript. Italy, Piemonte, Turin, National Library. Detail. Folio 253v. Selling of a horse illuminated page text incipit: beginning initial letter square tondo illustration: picture farmer horse men small figures angel blue black light blue red pink.

Musical instruments, miniature, Italy 12th Century.

The Blindman Lamech Kills Cain; Enoch Before God; Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany; about 1400 - 1410; Tempera colors, gold, silver paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 33.5 x 23.5 cm (13 3,16 x 9 1,4 in.)

Charge! Description: Illustration from the Liber Memoranda Camerarii, a book cataloguing the delivery of deeds of title, jewels, and other items received into or delivered out of the Treasury of the Exchequer. The illustration is based on the images drawn or painted on the chests and boxes in which the objects and documents were placed. Matching the two would allow items listed to be found easily. Date: Between 1365 and 1545 horse, illumination, medieval, exchequer

The crow and the snake cont.; The jackdaw and the pigeons.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection

Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis Flemish. Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis, 16th century. Manuscript in opaque watercolor and ink with gold, 3 1/2 × 2 5/8 × 7/8 in. (8.9 × 6.7 × 2.2 cm). European Art 16th century

Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis Flemish. Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis, ca. 1510-1530. Manuscript with opaque watercolor and ink with gold, 6 3/8 × 4 7/8 × 1 5/8 in. (16.2 × 12.4 × 4.1 cm). European Art ca. 1510-1530

Abruzzo L'Aquila Celano Museum72. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Manuscripts: Miniature nella Marsica; Trasacco - Antifonario; Tagliacozzo - Messale; Avezzano - L'Ecultet Metalwork--processional crosses Post-medieval: Vestments, metalwork, painting, frescoes, sculpture German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

Constellation Diagrams; Unknown; England, Europe; early 13th century; Pen and black, green, and red inks on parchment bound between pasteboard covered with brown calf; Leaf: 24.1 x 15.6 cm (9 1/2 x 6 1/8 in.)

Family tree, a page from Liber Floridus, 12th century. Artist: Unknown

Island (Isle). Master of the Geneva Boccaccio, illuminator (French, active about 1445 - 1470) about 1465-1470

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 127v, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

Abruzzo L'Aquila Celano Museum60. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Manuscripts: Miniature nella Marsica; Trasacco - Antifonario; Tagliacozzo - Messale; Avezzano - L'Ecultet Metalwork--processional crosses Post-medieval: Vestments, metalwork, painting, frescoes, sculpture German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

The thieves and the rooster; The crow and the raven., 1480, Florence

The man who broke the statue cont.; The dog who came to dinner. Page of text with rubrics, initial, border design, and miniature and fable of the Dog who came to Dinner. Within the miniature is the Medici coat of arms.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection

The Personification of Hunger. Unknown

Tuscany Siena Montalcino Museo Civico71. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Entire manuscript. Manuscripts. Post-medieval: Sculpture and ceramics from local workshops (2nd half 12th century; Sienese maiolica; 14th century weapons German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

The Creation of the Sun and the Moon; Ghent, Belgium; about 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 43.8 x 30.5 cm (17 1,4 x 12 in.)

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 174v, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

The dog who came to dinner end; The fisherman who played the flute.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection

Joseph Leading his Father Jacob before Pharaoh; Ghent, Belgium; about 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 43.8 x 30.5 cm (17 1,4 x 12 in.)

A Man in a Bed. Unknown

PETRARCH (1304-1374). Italian humanist and poet. 'Sonnets, Songs and Triumphs'. Manuscripted edition from the 15th c. School from Florence. Initial with the figure of Petrarch. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). Madrid. National Library.

Study for the Sforza Monument, c1482-c1499 (1883). Artist: Leonardo da Vinci.

Abruzzo L'Aquila Celano Museum83. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Manuscripts: Miniature nella Marsica; Trasacco - Antifonario; Tagliacozzo - Messale; Avezzano - L'Ecultet Metalwork--processional crosses Post-medieval: Vestments, metalwork, painting, frescoes, sculpture German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

First Edition of the Poeticon Astronomicon by Hyginus, by Ratdolt Erhard, 1485, 15th Century, engraving. Italy, Veneto, Venice, Marciana Library. Whole artwork. Sagittarius Capricorn two pages initial letter decorated inscriptions signs of the zodiac animal decoration man bow arrow lance: spear constellation stars centaur horns goat horse edition green brown red yellow ma.

SIGNO RODADO DEL REY SANCHO IV EL BRAVO REY DE CASTILLA. Location: ARCHIVO HISTORICO NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

COMENTARIOS DEL APOCALIPSIS- S XII-PROCEDE DE SAN PEDRO CARDEÑA-MS -2. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: MUSEO ARQUEOLOGICO NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Emilia-Romagna Ferrara Pieve di Cento Pinacoteca Civica3. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Antiphonaries. Post-medieval: Paintings on canvas German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

The broken vow end; The frogs and the dried-up pond., 1480, Florence

A Dead Hunter; Florence Kingsford Cockerell (English, 1871 - 1949); England; 1908; Tempera, watercolors, gold leaf, and silver and gold paints on parchment bound between pasteboard covered with blue morocco; Leaf: 21.7 x 13.5 cm (8 9,16 x 5 5,16 in.)

Miniature, by Lorenzo Monaco, Choir of Saint Romuald, Italy 15th Century.

Western dock, Rumex aquaticus, and ox-eye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557. This from a 17th century pirate edition or atlas of illustrations only, with captions in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and in English manuscript.

Song to the Virgin. Dated: c. 1500. Medium: woodcut, hand-colored in rose and ochre. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: German 15th Century.

Tuscany Siena Montalcino Museo Civico11. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Entire manuscript. Manuscripts. Post-medieval: Sculpture and ceramics from local workshops (2nd half 12th century; Sienese maiolica; 14th century weapons German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis Flemish. Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis, 16th century. Manuscript in opaque watercolor and ink with gold, 3 3/4 × 2 7/8 × 1 1/8 in. (9.5 × 7.3 × 2.9 cm). European Art 16th century

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