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Medieval Religious Illuminations

Intricate illuminated manuscripts illustrating biblical scenes, rich colors, and detailed characters depicting significant moments in Christian history.

Book Zechariah/ Illumination c.1230

Pentecost. Jean Bourdichon (French, 1457 - 1521)

Pope Boniface VIII receives a manuscript containing his laws, miniature, manuscript, Italy 13th Century.

Tacuinum Sanitatis. 14th century. Medieval handbook of health. Wheat porridge. Folio 43v.

The Circumcision; Strasbourg, France; early 16th century; Tempera colors on parchment; Leaf: 13.5 x 10.5 cm (5 5,16 x 4 1,8 in.)

Bible moralisée de Tolède, dite bible de Saint-Louis, scène de dédicace. Date/Period: Ca. 1220-1230. Illumination on parchment. Height: 34.4 cm (13.5 in); Width: 26 cm (10.2 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Facsimile of a page from the Ethelwold Benedictional showing the Annunciation From the book The Church of England A History for the People published c.1910

MINIATURA-MULTIPLICACION DE PANES Y PECES-MILAGRO DE JESUS. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France.

Saint Hedwig Saving a Choking Nun and Curing a Woman and Nuns of Blindness; Saint Hedwig Asking for the Life of a Man Condemned to Be Hung. Unknown maker

The Annunciation to the Shepherds. Follower of the Egerton Master (French / Netherlandish, active about 1405 - 1420)

Old Testament. Original sin. Adam and Eve disobeying God. Banishes from the Garden of Eden. Engraving.

Christ Blessing Saint Hedwig; Saint Hedwig Washing Her Grandson's Face; Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg (Polish, 1364 - 1398); Silesia, Poland; 1353; Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 34.1 x 24.8 cm (13 7,16 x 9 3,4 in.)

Initial S with Saint Peter Liberated from Prison first half 14th century Italian Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #2850. Illuminated Initial S: St. Peter being released from Prison by an angel Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. We are working to make it available as soon as possible.. Initial S with Saint Peter Liberated from Prison 32831

The Birth of the Virgin. Unknown

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

Jesus is going away from his disciples for praying in the Mount of Olives Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

fol. 115v, 1390

Matilda of Tuscany (From: Vita Mathildis di Donizone di Canossa), Donizone di Canossa (active Early 12th cen.)

The Virgin Enthroned: Book of Hours c. 1450-1475 Simon Marmion (c. 1425-1489/ French) Decorative vellum leaf The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California

David in Prayer. Date/Period: Ca. 1450 - 1455. Folio. Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment. Height: 194 mm (7.63 in); Width: 140 mm (5.51 in). Author: Master of Guillebert de Mets.

For June: the month's activity (scything the hay), and the month's zodiac (Cancer).. 1485 - 1499. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Hay, Cancer (Astrology)

The Tree of Jesse; The Annunciation; The Nativity; The Annunciation to the Shepherds; Paris, France; about 1250 - 1260; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 19.2 x 13.3 cm (7 9,16 x 5 1,4 in.)

Christ in Majesty. Unknown

Full-page miniature with four scenes Moses inscribing the Ten Commandments; the Golden Calf; Samson slaying the lion; Samson destroying the Temple of Dragon, fol. 6., 1320

Saint Anthony Constraining a Devil; Naples, Campania, Italy; about 1460; Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 17.1 x 12.1 cm (6 3,4 x 4 3,4 in.)

The Aged Josaphat Meets Barlaam.

The Death of the Virgin. Master of the Lübeck Bible (Flemish, about 1485 - about 1520)

EVANGELIARIO PARA USO BENEDICTINO ESCRITO EN ITALIA S X- F76V: DORMICION DE LA VIRGEN. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. VIRGIN MARY. CRISTO RESUCITADO.

Death of Amalric I of Jerusalem. Coronation of Baldwin IV. Miniature from the 'Historia' by William of Tyre by Anonymous / Bibliotheque de Geneve/ 1460s/ France/ Watercolour on parchment/ Medieval art/ History

MISAL DE SANT RUF ARXIU CAPITULAR DE TORTOSA.

BIBLIA S XIII-TOMO I- JOB Y TRES AMIGOS- MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: ACADEMIA DE LA HISTORIA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Master of Imola, The Nativity with Six Dominican Monks, 1265 1274 The Nativity with Six Dominican Monks

Scenes from the book of Exodus, fol. 39r. 1390. text. Manuscripts, Illuminations. Spencer Collection

Holy Bible Book Illustration in an old Bible Book Copyright: xZoonar.com/ZvonimirxAtleticx 2272150

The Virgin and Child in a White Rose. Unknown

Book of hours. 15th century. Circumcision. "Brit milah" Jewish religious male circuncision ceremony. Conde Museum. Chantilly. France.

The Tree of Jesse, miniature from Legendario of Citeaux, 641 manuscript folio 40 verso. France, 12th Century.

Apostle Thomas & goat/ Illumin./ C13th

Leaf from a Book of Hours: St. Matthew, c. 1415-20. Follower of Limbourg Brothers (Netherlandish). Ink, tempera and gold on vellum; leaf: 18.1 x 13 cm (7 1/8 x 5 1/8 in.).

Misal de Sant Cugat, siglo XIV. Archivo de la Corona de Aragón.

COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS-FOLIO 140 V, EL SEPTIMO ANGEL DERRAMANDO SU COPA POR EL AIRE. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: CATEDRAL-BIBLIOTECA. BURGO DE OSMA. Soria. SPAIN. ARCANGEL ORIFIEL.

Four Gospels in Armenian 1434/35 Armenian Illuminated manuscripts are among the finest works of Armenian art as the "Word" has been the primary focus of veneration in the Armenian Church since its founding in the early fourth century. In the fifteenth century under Mongol domination in the region of Khizan near Lake Van (now in Turkey), Armenian artists developed the dramatic narrative style of illumination seen here.　 Colophons, notations in the text, identify this gospel as written by the scribe Margar for the Monastery of St. George at Mokk at the order of Bishop Sion.　 As it typical for Armenian gospels, the illuminations of the life of Christ are grouped at the beginning of the text before the Canon Tables with an evangelists portrait introducing each gospel.. Four Gospels in Armenian 478665

The Dream of Joseph (After a stained glass window in Chartres Cathedral) Artist Unknown

Lazarus in the Bosom of Abraham, The Rich Man in Hell.

Colored pen drawing by an anonymous artist from 1420-1430 depicting Moses receiving the tablets of the law. Emphasizes figure, gesture, and biblical event.

Saint Bernardino of Siena Rescuing Boys from a River. Unknown

Evangelist Matthew / Illumination 1490

Flagellation/Crucifixion / Illumination

TUMBO A (1125 A 1255) - DOA URRACA Y DOA TERESA - FOL 38 V. Location: CATEDRAL-BIBLIOTECA, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, CORUA, SPAIN.

Miniature from a Manuscript of the Apocalypse: The Woman upon the Scarlet Beast, c. 1295. France, Lorraine, 13th century. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; sheet: 10.2 x 14.7 cm (4 x 5 13/16 in.); framed: 52.4 x 39.7 cm (20 5/8 x 15 5/8 in.); matted: 48.9 x 36.2 cm (19 1/4 x 14 1/4 in.). The visionary text of Saint John the Evangelist's Apocalypse, the final book of the New Testament, inspired these images of salvation, sin, and divine retribution. A large number of illustrated volumes of the Apocalypse appeared in Northern Europe, especially in England, after the year 1240-perhaps reflecting a fear of the world's end. These miniatures come from a manuscript produced in Lorraine, then artistically influenced by English models.

Beatus of S.Pedro de Cardena/ Illumin.

Initial B: Four Saints; Olivetan Master (Italian, active about 1425 - about 1450); Lombardy, Italy; about 1450; Tempera and gold on parchment; Leaf: 14.3 x 13.5 cm (5 5,8 x 5 5,16 in.)

MISAL 1794 - CRUCIFIXION. Location: Museo Municipal. Reus. TARRAGONA. SPAIN. VIRGIN MARY. CRISTO CRUCIFICADO. SAN JUAN EVANGELISTA Y APOSTOL.

Pentecost; 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.)

Pontifical de Guillaume Durand, c. 1409-1415. Letra inicial. Obispo y frailes, a sus pies un cantero tallando piedra. Arxiu Capitular de la Catedral de Girona.

Libro de Horas de Luis de Orleans: Verónica con la Santa Faz V90. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA SAN PETERS RUSIA.

fine arts, religious art, book, Codey Aureus of Echternach, circa 1030, evangelist Luke, above the winged Taurus of the evangelist Mark, miniature on vellum, Germanisches Nationalmuseum (National Museum of Germanic History) Nuremberg,

BIBLIA DE SAN LUIS S XIII-ESCENAS DEL APOCALIPSIS. Location: CATEDRAL-BIBLIOTECA. Toledo. SPAIN.

David praying / Illumination

ULTIMA CENA - EVANGELIARIO DE PARIS PARA USO DE CARLOS DUQUE DE ANGULEMA - FECHADO ENTRE 1501 Y 1600 - PERGAMINO. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. JESUS. JUDAS ISCARIOTE (3 ac-30 dc).

MISAL RICO-JESUS Y LOS LEPROSOS-MILAGRO DE JESUS- S XV. Author: CARDENAL CISNEROS. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION, MADRID, SPAIN.

Miniature from a Book of Hours: The Pentecost, c. 1500. Jean Poyet (French). Tempera, and gold on vellum; sheet: 17.5 x 11.7 cm (6 7/8 x 4 5/8 in.).

Saint Stanislaus of SzczepanÛw as the patron saint of Poland, venerated by King Sigismund I and Tomicki himself together with church and secular dignitaries, by Stanisaw Samostrzelnik, 1535. The two larger figures kneeling at the saintís feet are King Sigismund I of Poland and Piotr Tomicki, bishop of KrakÛw and deputy chancellor of the Crown. Behind him kneel Krzysztof Szydowiecki, grand chancellor of the Crown, Treasurer Mikoaj Szydowiecki and Royal Secretary Just Decjusz.

Martyrologium von Usuard Martyrology of Usuard, manuscript with the martyrdoms of the saints related to the Christian calendar, year 1254, Girona art museum, Girona, Catalonia, Spain Copyright: xZoonar.com/TOLOxBALAGUERx 22283382

Book of Hours (Use of Metz): Fol. 26v, Virgin and Child, c. 1440. France, Metz. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; sheet: 14.2 x 9.4 cm (5 9/16 x 3 11/16 in.). This volume contains only one full-page miniature (opened here) of the Standing Virgin with Child. It introduces the prayer: "Holy Mary, faultless Lady, intercede for us..." The first seven folios of the book list dedications of Metz churches and indulgences which are unique to that diocese. The city of Metz, situated on the Moselle River, was the cultural and commercial capital of Lorraine during the 1400s. It was also the location of an important bishopric (diocese of a bishop) and, therefore, the center of a growing book trade.

Miniature from a Manuscript of the Apocalypse: The Woman Clothed with the Sun and The War in Heaven, c. 1295. France, Lorraine, 13th century. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; sheet: 12 x 14.2 cm (4 3/4 x 5 9/16 in.). The visionary text of St. John the Evangelist's Apocalypse, the final book of the New Testament, inspired these images of salvation, sin, and divine retribution. A large number of illustrated volumes of the Apocalypse appeared in Northern Europe, especially in England, after the year 1240--perhaps reflecting a fear of the world's end. These miniatures come from a manuscript produced in Lorraine, then artistically influenced by English models.

Miniature of Virgin and Child, opening of French text.. 1450 - 1499. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Jesus Christ, Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint, Angels, Borders (Ornament Areas), Flowers , 1400-1499

The Crucifixion. Unknown

Missal. Unknown

Nativity of Jesus. Holy Family (Infant Jesus, his mother, Mary, and her husband, Joseph who cares for his wife). Donkey and an ox are typically depicted in the scene. Bethlehem. Miniature, 13th century. Conde Museum. Chateau of Chantilly. France.

March, Ram, Philip/ Illumination/1250-60

Mocking of Christ, The Spanish Book of Hours, C. 1500-1550, Simon Bening, (C. 1483-1561/Netherlandish), The Huntington-San Marino, California

The Crucifixion; Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop, Flemish, active about 1480 - 1515; Bruges, Belgium, Europe; about 1480 - 1485 ; Tempera colors and gold on parchment

A mystical meal with the Holy Grail vase on the table and King David playing psalms on a harp. Six musicians playing vielle, lute, bagpipes, shawm and drum. The meal and six musicians taken from Roman de Saint Graal, Merlin, Sept Sages and a chronicle. Repas mystique tire de MS 6769, Le Roi psalmiste tire du MS 6705, Bibliotheque Imperiale, France, XIIIe siecle. Chromolithograph by Ferdinand Sere from Charles Louandres Les Arts Somptuaires, The Sumptuary Arts, Hangard-Mauge, Paris, 1858.

SAN LUCAS ESCRIBIENDO EL EVANGELIO - SIGLO XV. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. NEAPEL. ITALIA. SAN LUCAS EVANGELISTA.

Saint Giles, miniature, France 12th Century.

Spanish school. Church book of Saint Eulalia: The Final Judgement. 15th century. Barcelona, library of the Cathedral. Author: RAFAEL DESTORRENTS (1375-1410). Location: CATEDRAL-BIBLIOTECA. Barcelona. SPAIN. CRISTO JUEZ.

NATIVIDAD DE LA VIRGEN - DETALLE DEL RETABLO DE LA ANTIGUA O RETABLO MAYOR DE LA CATEDRAL DE VALLADOLID - SIGLO XVI. Author: JUAN DE JUNI. Location: CATEDRAL. Valladolid. SPAIN. VIRGIN MARY. SANTA ANA MADRE DE LA VIRGEN MARIA.

Meeting of two Prophets / Book illum.

Angels from a miniature in the King John bible (Bibliotheque Nationale de France 15397). Ernest Guillot "Ornementation des Manuscrits au Moyen-Age" (Ornamentation from Manuscripts of the Middle Ages, 14th century), 1897, chromolithograph.

Mass for the Dead. Unknown

The Annunciation. Unknown

The Birth of the Virgin in a Historiated Initial G from an Antiphonal 1485-1515 France. Manuscript cutting in tempera and gold leaf, with gothica textualis inscriptions in black, ruled in red, on parchment . Master of Jacques de Besançon

Saint Paul and Sergius, Roman Proconsul in Cyprus.

Cristofor de Predis (1440-1486). Italian miniaturist. Miniature depicting the risen Jesus saying to Peter, feed my sheep. Codex de Predis, 1476. Royal Library. Turin, Italy.

Ste. Mary Song # 153. Woman taken away through the sky to the monastery of Rocamador. Mujer es llevada por los aires al santuario de Rocamador. Madrid, Library of the Monastery of El Escorial. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Tacuinum Sanitatis. Medieval Health Handbook, dated before 1400, based on observations of medical order detailing the most important aspects of food, beverages and clothing. Ibn Butlan (Elbochasim de Baldach) (d. 1038) with two pupils. Miniature. Folio 4r.

The Pietà. Unknown

Saint Laurence of Rome. Colour lithograph.

The Adoration of the Magi. Unknown

Misal de Santa Eulalia, hacia 1400-1405, 34,3 x 26,5 cm. Archivo Capitular de la Catedral de Barcelona. Author: RAFAEL DESTORRENTS.

The Holy Family: St Joseph works as carpenter in background, while Mary sews and the boy Jesus sweeps the room. 19th century French coloured woodcut

Missal said of St. Louis, by Parisian illuminator of middle of XIII Century, 13th Century, 1255-1256, vellum paper, cm 34 x 24

MISAL DE STA. EULALIA.S.XV.. ARCHIVO CATEDRAL BARCELONA. Author: RAFAEL DESTORRENTS (1375-S. XV).

EVANGELIARIO-FOL 79-RES 51-"SI DILIGITIS ME". Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. JESUS.

Saint Matthew. Workshop of Master of the First Prayer Book of Maximilian (Flemish, active about 1475 - 1515)

Anonymous. Bréviary by René II of Lorraine. Illuminated manuscript. Around 1493. Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, Petit Palais. 71132-2 Chretian art, religious art, brevial, phevial king rene, illumination, religious iconography, liturgical book, illuminated manuscript, illuminated work, book page, parchment, religious painting, prayers collection, Chretian religion, 15th xve XV 15th 15th 15

Leaf Excised from Henry of Segusio's "Summa Aurea": Table of Consanguinity, c. 1280. France, Paris, 13th century. Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment; sheet: 44.2 x 27.5 cm (17 3/8 x 10 13/16 in.). Henry of Segusio, a professor of law at the universities of Bologna and Paris, died at Lyon in 1271. His Summa Aurea (Golden Summary) was an early treatise on canon law (church law) that was so important that it was repeatedly copied after his death. This leaf comes from one such early copy.

Pontifical de Guillaume Durand, c. 1409-1415. Letra inicial obispo bendiciendo un sagrario. Arxiu Capitular de la Catedral de Girona.

"TOMAS, INCREDULO ANTE LA RESURRECCION DE JESUS, QUIERE TOCAR EL COSTADO DE ESTE". Página miniada del CODICE DE PREDIS. Renacimiento-Quattrocento (s. XV). Biblioteca Real. Turín. Italia.

The Way to Calvary. Master of James IV of Scotland (Flemish, before 1465 - about 1541)

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