Medieval Illustrations of Kings and Legends

A collection of medieval manuscripts depicting historical events and characters, featuring vibrant colors and intricate details highlighting dramatic scenes.

Life scenes by Coetivy Master, Watercolor on parchment, 1450-1499, active circa 1450-1485, Usa, California, The Huntington,

A Naked King, tied to a board, is dragged from the city.

Page from Le Livre de Lancelot du Lac (The Book of Sir Lancelot of the Lake), 15th century. Artist: Unknown

Burial Scene; Follower of Hans Schilling (German, active 1459 - 1467), from the Workshop of Diebold Lauber (German, active 1427 - 1467); Hagenau, Alsace, France (formerly Germany); 1469; Ink, colored washes, and tempera colors on paper; Leaf: 28.6 x 20.3 cm (11 1,4 x 8 in.)

Italy, The liberation of Arcitas, miniature from a French manuscript of the Book of Theseus (also known as Theseid of the Nuptials of Emilia, Teseida delle nozze d'Emilia, 1339-41) by Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375)

CODICE LANDAU - NATIVIDAD - SIGLO XV. Author: BELBELLO DA PAVIA (S XV). Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

llustration of Pierre Michault's poem. "Dance of the Blind". They are related to the Dance of Death, Blind Love. Blind fortune and blind death over humanity. 15th century. Count Museum. Chantilly France

Life scenes by Coetivy Master, Watercolor on parchment, 1450-1499, active circa 1450-1485, Usa, California, The Huntington,

Full-page miniature featuring four scenes David and Goliath, David slaying Goliath, David playing his lyre, and Solomon with two mothers. Folio 6v., circa 1320

Announcement to the shepherds and scenes of everyday life, miniature from the Book of Hours Use of Poitiers, Latin and French manuscript illustrated by a student of Robinet Testard, manuscript 1097 folio 25 recto, France end of 15th Century.

MINIATURA QUE REPRESENTA LOS FESTEJOS EN LA CORTE DEL REY ARTURO, GINEBRA Y DOCE REYES- 1460. Location: BIBLIOTECA MUNICIPAL. DIJON. France. KING ARTHUR. ARTURO III DE INGLATERRA.

APOCALIPSIS FIGURADO DE LOS DUQUES DE SABOYA (1435-1490) - MARTIRIO DE UNA SANTA - SIGLO XV. Author: JEAN BAPTEUR-PERONET LAMY-JEAN COLOMBE. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Frederick III (1415-1493), also known as Frederick the Fat and Frederick the Peaceful, was the eldest son of the Inner Austrian duke Ernest the Iron, a member of the Habsburg dynasty. He became duke of Inner Austria in 1424 at the age of nine, but would not be awarded rule until 1435, with his younger brother Albert asserting his rights as co-ruler. By 1439, Frederick had become the undisputed head of the Habsburg dynasty. Frederick died in 1493, aged 77, bleeding to death after having his infected left leg amputated.

Mother, child and family.14th cent Book of Hours illustration. Medieval France.

The capture of Jerusalem by Antiochus and the plundering of the city, miniature from Chronicle of Bouquechardiere, manuscript, folio 310 recto, 15th Century.

Aeneas meets Dido. Dido was the founder and first queen of Carthage. Aeneas - his character is captioned as Eneas in this illustration - was a Trojan hero Dido fell in love with. The legendary char

MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº111-F158V-B-CLERIGO REZABA MUY DEVOTO- MINIATURA S XIII. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

People in town by Coetivy Master, Watercolor on parchment, 1450-1499, active circa 1450-1485, Usa, California, The Huntington,

The return of Charles VI of France after the Battle of Rosbecque, 1382, (14th-15th century). From the Bibliotheque Municipale, Besancon. The artist is unknown.

Miniature from the Codex Manesse, manuscript, 1304, Germany.

France - 16th century miniature - Treaty

The Byzantine Emperor Welcoming Roussillon and Martel; Loyset Liédet (Flemish, active about 1448 - 1478), and Pol Fruit (Flemish, active about 1468); Illuminated: Bruges, Belgium; written 1463 - 1465; illuminated 1467 - 1472; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 23.2 x 19.5 cm (9 1,8 x 7 11,16 in.)

Miniature from Lancelot of the Lake, manuscript, France 15th Century.

Marco Polo & His Brother Nicolo Take Leave From the Emperor Balduin II 1375 Artist Unknown Illuminated manuscript Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France

Caring for patients, miniature from The Cantigas de Santa Maria Alfonso X the Wise, manuscript, Spain 13th Century.

Jason and the Golden Fleece from Histoire Universelle , 13th cent. FRANCE.

LA REINA MARIA DE ARAGON (1361-1399) ESPOSA DE MARTIN EL JOVEN CON SUS CONSEJEROS - LIBRO DE COMENTARIOS A LOS USATGES - 1448. Author: BERNAT MARTORELL (1390-1452). Location: Museum of History of Barcelona. Barcelona. SPAIN.

fol. 139v. 1402. Rudolf, von Ems, -approximately 1254. Spencer Collection

A colored pen drawing by an anonymous artist depicting the destruction of a city, created between 1420 and 1430, emphasizing buildings, action, and chaos.

Gothic style. Altarpiece of the Virgin and Saint George, by Lluis Borrassa (14th century-1424/1426). Wood painting, made in Barcelona around 1390-1400. Detail depicting the martyrdom of St. George (breaking wheel and rack). Convent of Sant Francesc in Vilafranca del Penedes, province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

The Catching of Quails.

Rudolf von Ems' World Chronicle: King David Captures Sion & Jerusalem ca.1411 Artist Unknown Illuminated manuscript Staatliche Museen Preussischer Kulturbesitz, (Kupferstichkabinett) Berlin, Germany

Titus Maccius Plautus (250-184). Latin playwright. Asinaria. Act III. Argyrippus, Philaenium, Litanus and Leonida. Engraving. 1518. Colored.

Hand-to-hand fighting with swords in defence of a castle. 14th century manuscript. British Museum

French legal codex (13th c.). The deeds of the Romans. Romanesque art. Miniature Painting. ITALY. VENETO. Venice. Biblioteca nazionale marciana (St. Mark's Library).

Manuscript Leaf with the Betrayal, from a Book of Hours. Culture: Netherlandish. Dimensions: 6 7/16 x 4 11/16 in. (16.4 x 11.9 cm)Other (text frame): 3 11/16 x 2 5/8 in. (9.3 x 6.7 cm)Other: 12 × 10 in. (30.5 × 25.4 cm). Date: ca. 1500. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Gillion Defeating King Hector and Gillion Fighting with the Emir of Orbrie; Lieven van Lathem (Flemish, about 1430 - 1493), David Aubert (Flemish, active 1453 - 1479); Antwerp, Belgium; 1464; Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 37 x 25.5 cm (14 9,16 x 10 1,16 in.)

Book of Knight Zifar. ca. 1300. First adventures tale written in Spanish . Page depicting a city's conquest. Manuscript from Paris Ms.36, 1464. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. ëLE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library.

MS.B.R.20- CANTIGA STA MARIA-F113V-C-AMANTES EN LA ALCOBA-MINIATURA GOTICA- S XIII. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

Louis XI (1423-1483). King of France. Site of Paris. Miniature of a manuscript of 15th century.

ROMULO Y REMO - MV 10173-4. Location: BIBLIOTECA REAL ALBERTO I. Brüssel. Belgien.

The Raising of Lazarus; Master of Guillaume Lambert and workshop (French, active about 1475 - 1485); Lyon, France; about 1480 - 1490; Tempera colors, gold and silver paints, silver leaf, and black ink on parchment; Leaf: 30.5 x 21.6 cm (12 x 8 1,2 in.)

The Massacre of the Innocents; Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop (Flemish, active about 1480 - 1515); Bruges, Belgium; about 1480 - 1485 ; Tempera colors and gold on parchment; Leaf: 20.5 x 14.8 cm (8 1,16 x 5 13,16 in.)

ADELAIDA DE SABOYA, Maestro de(15th c.). The Hours of Adelaide of Savoy, Duchess of Burgundy. 1460-1465. The Month of February. Games. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. PICARDY. OISE. Chantilly. Mus_e Cond_ (Cond_ Museum).

Fighting between Knights, miniature from the Entree d'Espagne, manuscript, 14th Century.

The Romance of the Rose. s.XIV. 'How the yesteryear good weather is mentioned'. Miniature, folio 59rv. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. Valencia. Valencia University Library.

Libro de Horas de Luis de Orleans R71. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA SAN PETERS RUSIA.

Scenes from the Life of Gideon and Moses and the Burning Bush; 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.)

The Romance of the Rose. s.XIV. 'How the Barons plot together and confide again in the God of Love'. Miniature, folio 75 (back). Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. Valencia. Valencia University Library.

fol. 35v, 1390

Late 15th century copper engraving by Meister mit den Blumenrahmen depicting 'Temptation by Avarice' from Ars Moriendi IX with human figures and allegorical symbols.

Colored woodcut by an anonymous artist depicting God sending plague arrows to humanity, showing figures, gestures, and composition, dated 1470-1480.

MANUSCRITO-ENEAS EN ITALIA CONSTRUYE UN CASTILLO. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France.

CURTIUS, Rufus Quintus (1st century). The history of Alexander the Great. 1461 - 1468. War elephants. Ilustration of the french ediciÑn of the original of the 1st century b.c. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE. MARNE. Reims. Bibliothque Municipale (Municipal Library).

Depicts Saint Sebastian by an anonymous artist as a colored woodcut around 1470, showing him bound and pierced with arrows in traditional religious iconography.

Alfonso X, called 'The Wise' (1221-1284). Cantigas de Santa Maria (Virgin Mary Songs). 13th c. Cantiga (song) 144: 'El toro de Plasencia' (The Bull of Plasencia). Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Royal Library of the Monastery of El Escorial.

Josaphat Speaks to the Nobles; Follower of Hans Schilling (German, active 1459 - 1467), from the Workshop of Diebold Lauber (German, active 1427 - 1467); Hagenau, Alsace, France (formerly Germany); 1469; Ink, colored washes, and tempera colors on paper; Leaf: 28.6 x 20.3 cm (11 1,4 x 8 in.)

VRELANT, Willem (1410-1481). Book of Hours of Leonor de la Vega. 1465 - 1470. The Annunciation to the Shepherds. Flemish art. Miniature Painting. PORTUGAL. Coimbra. Coimbra University Library.

Plowing, miniature from De universo by Rabano Mauro, manuscript, Italy 11th Century.

$Froissart Chronicles (c.1333-c.1404). Richard II (1367-1400) King of England from 1377, surrendering the crown to Lord Derby, 29 December 1399. Richard died, probably murdered, in Pontefract Castle early in 1400. Manuscript, British. Museum, London$

Marco Polo With Elephants And Camels Arriving At Hormuz On The Gulf Of Persia From India 15th C. Boucicaut Master(15th C.- ) Vellum Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France

Abimelech Destroying Shechem; Abimelech Killed by the Woman of Thebes; 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.)

The Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems primarily preserved in the Icelandic mediaeval manuscript Codex Regius. Together with Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, the Poetic Edda is the most important extant source on Norse mythology and Germanic heroic legends.

CRONICAS DE LAS CRUZADAS- BALDUINO I DE JERUSALEN SALIENDO DE LA CIUDAD S XI - MINIATURA DEL SIGLO XV-Conj 77229. Author: DREUX JEAN. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. WIEN. AUSTRIA. JERUSALEN REY DE. BAUDOUIN HERMANO DE GODOFREDO DE BOUILLO. BOUILLON GODOFREDO HERMANO. BALDUINO I DE JERUSALEN. EDESA CONDE DE. CONDE DE EDESA.

Illuminated page from the Historia Naturalis. Dated 18th Century

Plowing, miniature from De universo by Rabano Mauro, manuscript, Italy 11th Century.

Manuscript 'Facts of the Romans' (13th c.). Bricklayers. Miniature Painting. ITALY. VENETO. Venice. Biblioteca nazionale marciana (St. Mark's Library).

The Martyrdom of Saint Barbara. Dated: c. 1480/1490. Medium: woodcut in lt. brown, hand-colored in red lake, green, blue, yellow, rose, gold, and orange. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: German 15th Century.

The Competition in Sittacene and the Placating of Sisigambis. Date/Period: Ca. 1470 - 1475. Folio. Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment. Height: 432 mm (17 in); Width: 330 mm (12.99 in). Author: Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant.

Saint-Denis market in Paris. Illustration from 'Grandes Chroniques de France'. (14th century). Gothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. MIDI-PYRƒNƒES. TARN. Castres. Goya Museum.

The Stoning of Saint Stephen in a Historiated Initial "A" or "C" from a Gradual. French (Paris); circle of the Master of Jacques de Besançon or the Master of Morgan 85. Date: 1485-1515. Dimensions: 130 × 135 mm. Manuscript cutting in tempera and gold leaf, with gothica textualis inscriptions in black, ruled in red, on parchment. Origin: France. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The theological and cardinal virtues, miniature from Ethics, Politics, Economy, by Aristotle, France 1452-1457.

Pilate Washing His Hands, from Passio domini nostri Jesu Christi. Urs Graf, the Elder (Swiss, 1485-1527/28); published by Johann Knobloch (German, born Switzerland, died 1528). Date: 1503-1506. Dimensions: 217 x 156 mm. Hand-colored woodcut on ivory laid paper with letterpress on verso, laid down on white laid paper. Origin: Switzerland. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Anakitic Giant before the Israelites; The Spies with the Grapes.

History of Troy. Heracles takes Troy and captures king LaomedÑn. Miniature of the 15th c. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. ITALY. PIEDMONT. Turin. National Library of the Turin University.

Philip IV the Fair, of France (1268-1314). King of France and Navarre (1285-1314). Philip IV of France with his daughter Isabelle, Queen of England, his sons Louis X and Charles IV, and his brother Charles, Count of Valois. French manuscript (14th c.). Gothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. LE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library.

Marriage scene from the Romance of the Round Table, manuscript 2537 folio 71 recto, France 14th Century.

CARLOS VII DE FRANCIA RECONQUISTA SU REINO - SIGLO XV. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France. CARLOS VII EL BIENAMADO FRANCIA.

Marguerite de Navarre or Marguerite of Angouleme (1492-1549). Princess of France. Queen consort of Navarre. Wife of Henry II of Navarre. Miniature., 1540. (Photo by: PHAS/UIG)

Third vision: John sees the third and fourth rider, each on a differently colored horse; the fourth issues forth from a hellmouth.. 1425 - 1450. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Saint Christopher Meets Satan; Saint Christopher before the King of Lycia. Martín de Soria; Spanish, active 1449-87. Date: 1450-1487. Dimensions: 156.2 x 92.1 cm (61 1/2 x 36 1/4 in.). Tempera with oil glazes on panel. Origin: Spain. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Jean Froissart presents a book of love poems to Richard II Date: 1393

Illumination depicting the Story of Saint Bruno and the Grande Chartreuse 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

Bayezid I prisoned by Timur by South German master (16th century) / Private Collection / before 1561 / Germany / Watercolour on parchment / History / 18,7x13,5

The Romance of the Rose. s.XIV. 'How Venus arrives and attacks the Castle built by Jealousy'. Miniature, folio 59rv. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. Valencia. Valencia University Library.

Saint Michael archangel, miniature from the Book of Hours Use of Poitiers, Latin and French manuscript, attributed to Evrard d'Espinques, manuscript 1096 folio 51 recto, France end of 15th Century.

PEDRO I el Cruel (Burgos, 1334-Montiel, 1369). Rey de Castilla y de León, hijo y sucesor de Alfonso XI. Su reinado presidió la grave crisis castellana de mediados del siglo XIV. Monarca autoritario, representante de los intereses economico-sociales de la pequeña nobleza, los judios conversos, los concejos castellanos y los comerciantes andaluces. Miniatura.

The Three Living and the Three Dead; Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop (Flemish, active about 1480 - 1515); Bruges, Belgium; about 1480 - 1485 ; Tempera colors and gold on parchment; Leaf: 20.5 x 14.8 cm (8 1,16 x 5 13,16 in.)

APOCALIPSIS FIGURADO DE LOS DUQUES DE SABOYA (1435-1490) - BABILONIA - IGLESIA CON PUEBLO ORANDO - SIGLO XV. Author: JEAN BAPTEUR-PERONET LAMY-JEAN COLOMBE. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

RICHARD II, KING OF ENGLAND (1367 - 1400) Reigned 1377 - 1399 Setting out on his expedition to Ireland in 1394 Date: 1394

JUANA DE ARCO EN LA HOGUERA - MINIATURA MEDIEVAL - SIGLO XV. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France. JOAN OF ARC. ORLEANS DONCELLA DE.

The month of June, miniature from the Grimani Breviary manuscript, Italy 15th Century.

The Siege of Tyre, 1124. Miniature from the 'Historia' by William of Tyre by Anonymous / Bibliotheque de Geneve/ 1460s/ France/ Watercolour on parchment/ Medieval art/ History

fine arts, middle ages, Gothic, illumination, Codex Manesse, Zurich, 1305 - 1340, master Goeli, covering colour on vellum, University of Heidelberg Library,

Quintus Curtius Rufus (first century AD), lunch and Alexander's illness, miniature from Life of Alexander the Great, manuscript n 1335 folio 208 verso, France 15th Century.

Miniature. Book of Morality "Livre de Bonnes Moerus", 1400-1410 by Jacques Legrand (d. 1459). Sedaka's daughter suicides after violated by men who pretended to be pilgrims. Conde Museum. Chantilly. France.

THOMAS of CantimprŽ (1201-1276). Codex Granatensis: De natura rerum. 15th c. Illustration about the alpenrose. Edition of Granada of the original of the 13th C. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. ANDALUSIA. Granada. Granada University Library.

Tacuinum Sanitatis. 14th century. Medieval handbook of health. Farmers carrying sacks of olives into the mill. Folio 91v.

THOMAS of CantimprŽ (1201-1276). Codex Granatensis: De natura rerum. 15th c. Illustration about Hyssop. Edition of Granada of the original of the 13th C. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. ANDALUSIA. Granada. Granada University Library.

Julius Caesar Crossing the Rubicon (Detail) c.1470 Jean Fouquet (ca.1420-1480 French) Vellum Musee du Louvre, Paris, France

July: The Harvest 13th C. Master Ermengaut(-1322 French) Vellum Biblioteca Monasterio del Escorial, Madrid, Spain

of 2