Illuminated Manuscripts and Decorated Texts

Pages from a historic book of hours, featuring colorful decorations and ornate initial letters, reflecting medieval artistry.

A Dead Turtle Dove in a Nest; Thérouanne , France (formerly Flanders); fourth quarter of 13th century (after 1277); Tempera colors, pen and ink, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 23.3 x 16.4 cm (9 3,16 x 6 7,16 in.)

Gospel Book with Evangelist Portraits: Decorated Initial, c. 1480. Hausbuch Master (German). Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; original blind stamped leather binding; codex: 23 x 17 cm (9 1/16 x 6 11/16 in.). The four gospels are preceded by a full-page portrait miniature of the appropriate evangelist. Per tradition, they are represented as contemporary scribes surrounded by all the tools of their tradeink pots, quill pens, and penknives. The anonymous illuminator of these miniatures, called the Hausbuch Master, is known primarily for an album of lively drawings as well as some 90 copper engravings now in Amsterdam. He was also apparently a panel painter of some distinction. The skillful pen work, tracery, and vine scrolls, as well as the large initials, are the work of other artists. The binding is original.

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 186r, 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.).

Joseph in Prison with a Butler and a Baker; 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.)

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 2v, January - Snow Landscape, 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. 190r, 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.).

Miniature showing 1. Minerva observing two men weaving; 2. chapel to Minerva with statue of her in full armor with winged helmet, with a lance and a shield showing the head of Medusa. An owl perched at her feet. Initial, rubric, border design.. 1450. Boccaccio, Giovanni (1313-1375). text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection. Women

Romulus and Remus.

Nativity in an Initial T”: Cutting from a gradual. Artist, possibly by: Girolamo dai Libri, Italian, 1474-1555

Virgin Saints; Workshop of Master of the First Prayer Book of Maximilian (Flemish, active about 1475 - 1515); Bruges, Belgium; about 1510 - 1520; Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 23.2 x 16.7 cm (9 1,8 x 6 9,16 in.)

Samson Fighting a Lion. Date/Period: Fourth quarter of 13th century (after 1277). Folio. Tempera colors, pen and ink, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment. Height: 233 mm (9.17 in); Width: 164 mm (6.45 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Illumination depicting Duc de Berry in Prayer from the Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry (The Beautiful Hours) an early 15th-century illuminated manuscript book of hours. Dated 15th Century

Digestum vetus, by Master of 1328, 14th Century, illuminated manuscript. Italy, Piemonte, Turin, National Library. Detail. Folio 144v, a, 20. Instructions to the farmer illuminated page text incipit: beginning initial letter square men small figures farmer farm worker hoe field cultivation trees blue black light blue red pink.

The Author Hearing the Story of Gillion de Trazegnies.

Saint Anthony of Padua; Master of James IV of Scotland (Flemish, before 1465 - about 1541); Bruges, Belgium; about 1510 - 1520; Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 23.2 x 16.7 cm (9 1,8 x 6 9,16 in.)

Decorated Incipit Page; 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.)

A Hunter Blowing his Horn While Attacking a Beaver. Date/Period: Fourth quarter of 13th century (after 1277). Folio. Tempera colors, pen and ink, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment. Height: 233 mm (9.17 in); Width: 164 mm (6.45 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel; 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.)

All Saints; Willem Vrelant, Flemish, died 1481, active 1454 - 1481; Bruges, Belgium, Europe; early 1460s; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 25.6 x 17.3 cm (10 1/16 x 6 13/16 in.)

Book of Hours (French), Mid-15th C., Workshop of the Bedford Master (15th C. French), The Huntington - San Marino, California

A Crocodile; England; about 1250-1260; Pen-and-ink drawings tinted with body color and translucent washes on parchment; Leaf: 21 × 15.7 cm (8 1,4 × 6 3,16 in.)

King Charles VI of France in Flanders. Master of the Getty Froissart (Flemish, active about 1475 - 1485)

A Man Pruning Vines. Workshop of the Rohan Master (French, active about 1410 - 1440)

Jesus Foretelling the Destruction of Jerusalem from Spiegel menschlicher Behältnis (The Mirror of Human Salvation), Plate 13 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century. Unknown Artist (Augsburg, 15th century); printed and published by Johann Schönsperger the Elder (German, c. 1455-1521); portfolio text by Wilhelm Ludwig Schreiber (German, 1855-1932). Date: 1500. Dimensions: 83 x 63 mm (image); 257 x 176 mm (sheet). Woodcut in black with hand-colored additions, and letterpress in black (recto and verso), on buff laid paper, tipped onto cream wove paper mat. Origin: Germany. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Leaf from Les Visions du chevalier Tondal.

Initial H: The Visitation; Workshop of Gerard Horenbout (Flemish, 1465 - 1541); Cologne (written), Germany; about 1500; Tempera colors and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 15.2 x 11.1 cm (6 x 4 3,8 in.)

Folio 78v, Bavaria, Germany, created in 1402

A Man Making a Barrel; Zodiacal Sign of Virgo. Master of the Brussels Initials (Italian, active about 1389 - 1410)

Initial capital letter S depicting a chimera, miniature from a Latin Bible from Montieramey Abbey, manuscript, France 12th Century.

July Calendar Page; Mowing; Leo. Workshop of the Master of James IV of Scotland (Flemish, before 1465 - about 1541)

Leaf from a Psalter with Historiated Initial (B): King David, c. 1450. Italy, Florence, 15th century. Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment; sheet: 45.7 x 34.3 cm (18 x 13 1/2 in.).

fol. 66r. 1402. Rudolf, von Ems, -approximately 1254. text. Spencer Collection

MTI1 - CANTIGA DE SANTA MARIA Nº0 - F4R - F4V - PROLOGO - ALFONSO X COMO TROVADOR CON SU CORTE - SIGLO XIII. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Courtesy with a Knight; Idleness Opening the Door for the Lover; Paris, France; about 1405; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment bound between pasteboard covered with dark red morocco; Leaf: 36.7 x 26 cm (14 7,16 x 10 1,4 in.)

Miniature from a manuscript of the Roman de la Rose by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun by Master of the Rose novels (active Second Half of 14th cen.)/ Bibliotheque de Geneve/ 1353/ Flanders/ Watercolour on parchment/ Medieval art/ 29x21/ Mythology,

Saint Michael. Lieven van Lathem (Flemish, about 1430 - 1493)

Apocalypse. With commentary of Berengaudus of Ferrière (840-892) and Haimo Autissiodorensis (Haimo of Auxerre) (dead ca. 865). London, Winchester or Salisbury (England), c. 1265-1275. Illuminators: collaborating artists from an English workshop. Manuscript on parchment. Fol. 68v. Miniature showing the three damnations of the Devil: the fall of the rebel angels, the harrowing of Hell and Satan is cast into the eternal torment of Hell. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. Lisbon, Portugal.

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

Sadoch Kneeling before a Hermit; Paris, France; about 1320 - 1340; Tempera colors, gold paint, and silver and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf: 39.4 x 29.8 cm (15 1,2 x 11 3,4 in.)

Initial V: Micah; Northeastern France (probably), France; about 1131-1165; Tempera colors and ink on parchment, laid down on paper; Leaf: 13.7 × 13.5 cm (5 3,8 × 5 5,16 in.)

FIRENZE, Aldebrando da (14th century). Treatise on medicine. 1356. FIRENZE, Aldebrando da (14th century). Fol. 172. The rabbit and bear. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. PORTUGAL. Lisbon. Ajuda Library.

Beatus de Morgan, commantaire sur l'apocalypse de Beatus de Liébana. Date/Period: Ca. 940-945. Illumination on parchment. Height: 38.5 cm (15.1 in); Width: 28 cm (11 in). Author: MAIUS.

Detail of the book of the freeholds of Cerdanya "Liber Feudorum Ceritaniae" Manuscript, 13th.

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

The Romance of the Rose. s.XIV. 'It's mentioned how kings are made'. Miniature of fol. 68v. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. Valencia. Valencia University Library.

Initial S: Bust Portrait of a Bearded Man in an Ermine Collar. Cristoforo Cortese (Italian, active Venice, Italy 1390 - 1445)

Adoration of Christ Child by workshop of Jean Fouquet, watercolor on parchment, 1450-1499, USA, New York, Morgan Library & Museum, 16,2x10,6

Constellation. Unknown

Town of Montefalco in Umbria, Italy

LIBRO DE JUEGOS O LIBRO DEL AJEDREZ DADOS Y TABLAS - 1283 - FOLIO 16R - DOS DAMAS NOBLES ENSEÑANDO A JUGAR AL AJEDREZ A DOS JOVENES- MAUSCRITO GOTICO. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Hybrids; 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.)

The Battle with the Five Kings of Canaan; 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.)

Weltchronik.

Coat of arms of early owner.. 1490 - 1510. Aristotle. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Swans

The Representatives of the Pope Attempting to Reconcile the Fighting Parties; Loyset Liédet, Flemish, active about 1448 - 1478, and Pol Fruit, Flemish, active about 1468; Illuminated: Bruges, Belgium, Europe; written 1463 - 1465; illuminated 1467 - 1472; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 22.5 x 18.6 cm (8 7/8 x 7 5/16 in.)

CODICE ALBENDENSE - MOZARABE - FOL 271 V - SIGLO X. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Trococite; A Headless Man with Eyes on His Shoulders; A Headless Man with a Face on His Chest; A Man with a Large Under Lip. Unknown

The bat and the weasels cont.; The travelers and the flotsam.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection

Album # 2; Detail of stained glass border has decorative patterns, blue and red background Gsell-Laurent workshop. Album # 2; Stained glass edge detail with decorative patterns, blue and red background. Chromolithography.

The goat and the wolf, and the mule., 1480, Florence

The man and the Satyr cont.; The fox and the woodcutter.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection

Kinnara Throne, from a Set of Initiation Cards (Tsakali) 1299-1499 Tibet. Ink and watercolor on paper .

Joab Killing Abner; 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.)

EPOCA VISIGODA. ESPAÑA. "MISCELANIA PATRISTICA". Volúmen en pergamino. Fechado el 938. Escrito en escritura minúscula visigoda, a dos columnas. Títulos e iniciales en color azul y rojo. Abundan las iniciales ornamentadas con diversos motivos de figuras humanas y zoomórficas. Arxiu Capitular de la Seu d'Urgell. Cataluña.

Three People at a Table and a Woman Holding a Storm-Lantern Who Points to Someone Drowning in a Pond; A Man Cutting Off the Tongue of a Woman; A Beaker, a Key, and Two Wine Casks. Unknown

Florenz, Toskana, Italien. Nationales Bargello-Museum. Nationales Kunstmuseum. Gherardo di Giovanni Mariano del Buono. Brevier des Heiligen Giles Florence Tuscany Italy. Museo Nazionale del Bargello. National Art Museum. Gherardo di Giovanni Mariano del Buono. Breviary of Saint Giles Copyright: xZoonar.com/MarcoxBriviox 22664009

LAPIDARIO MANDADO HACER POR ALFONSO X-S XIII. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Initial R: The Resurrection; Antonio da Monza (Italian, active about 1480 - 1505); Rome, Lazio, Italy; late 15th or early 16th century; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment bound between original wood boards covered with brown leather; Leaf: 64.1 x 43.5 cm (25 1,4 x 17 1,8 in.)

Lydia Ordering the Death of her Sons; Loyset Liédet, Flemish, active about 1448 - 1478, and Pol Fruit, Flemish, active about 1468; Written: Brussels, Belgium, Europe; written 1463 - 1465; illuminated 1467 - 1472; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 23.3 x 18.9 cm (9 3/16 x 7 7/16 in.)

MISAL ROMANO-MAN 52-S XIII-SIGNO DEL ZODIACO-PISCIS-. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

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