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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

The Second Sign before the Day of Judgment. Unknown

Initial G: The Virgin and Child; Workshop of Gerard Horenbout (Flemish, 1465 - 1541); Ghent (illuminated; probably), Belgium; about 1500; Tempera colors and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 15.2 x 11.1 cm (6 x 4 3,8 in.)

Old, weathered votive tablet, recovery from serious illness, Chapel of Grace Altötting, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

The Resurrection, miniature from the Book of Prayers by Jeanne de Laval, manuscript, France 15th Century.

Clergyman measuring the circumference of a star with a great compass. Capital letter. Miniature. Liber Derivationum. 13th century. Castle of Chantilly. France.

Burial and resurrection of Christ. Book of hours. 15th century. Conde Museum. Chantilly. France.

Jesus appears to the disciples. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

The Flight into Egypt; 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.)

The Visitation. Unknown

The Holy Family, 19th century. Artist: Anon

Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, from Armenian Evangelistery. Artist: Unknown

Libro de Horas de Luis de Orleans: Cristo crucificado V84. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA SAN PETERS RUSIA.

Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples from a set of The Passion 1595 Design based on a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer German With subtlety and dexterity, this tapestry's weavers- who apparently used the monograms AR and ICM- borrowed, enlarged, reversed, and added color to Albrecht Dürers design for the woodcut of Christ washing the disciples feet in his 1511 Small Passion series.This panel is part of a group of similarly sized scenes from the New Testament, woven across more than two decades, all closely based upon printed prototypes by Hans Baldung Grien, Hans Schäufelein, Martin Schongauer and Hans Wechtlin, as well as by Dürer. Together with other surviving tapestry panels now in the Museum Haus Löwenberg in Gengenbach and spread across private collections, these small, captioned Biblical scenes were probably made on speculation for sale to Protestant individuals and religious institutions in the Strasburg area around the turn of the seventeenth century.. Christ Washing the Feet of

Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486). Italian miniaturist. Miniature depicting Martha going to meet Jesus and he said: your brother is risen. Codex of Predis, 1476. Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

This colored woodcut by Hans Brosamer, circa 1553, depicts Christ with the Canaanite woman, illustrating figures and composition for Luther's catechism and the Lord's Prayer.

The Throne of Grace Trinity; 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.)

Moses' life, fol. 39v, 1390, Moses (Biblical leader)

Requirement of Christ, c. 1530 The temptation of Christ in the desert. The devil, in the form of a man with horns, asks him to change the stones he holds in his rug into loaves. In the background the other two temptations: Christ and the devil on the roof of the temple, where the last Christ asks to jump off the roof and prove who he is, and on the right the devil and Christ on a mountain top where the devil all Kingdoms of the world shows and asks him to bend for him. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper The temptation of Christ in the desert. The devil, in the form of a man with horns, asks him to change the stones he holds in his rug into loaves. In the background the other two temptations: Christ and the devil on the roof of the temple, where the last Christ asks to jump off the roof and prove who he is, and on the right the devil and Christ on a mountain top where the devil all Kingdoms of the world shows and asks him to bend for him. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper

Mary offered to the High Priests. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

Cristofor de Premis (1440-1486). Italian miniaturist. Jesus converses with the Samaritans. Codex De Predis. (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

Gospel Book. Date/Period: Ca. 1120 - 1140. Manuscript. Tempera colors, gold, and silver on parchment bound between pasteboard covered with brown calf. Height: 229 mm (9.01 in); Width: 165 mm (6.49 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

BREVIARIO OSCENSE-SIG 11-FOL 92-EL CALVARIO. Location: CATEDRAL. HUESCA. SPANIEN.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Master of Sir John Fastolf (French, active before about 1420 - about 1450)

CARTULARIO DEL SIGLO XII - RAMIRO III (961-984) - REY DE LEON DESDE EL AÑO 966 AL 984 - LIBRO DE LAS ESTAMPAS. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO. LEON. SPAIN.

EVANGELIARIO. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. JESUS. SAN JUAN BAUTISTA.

LIBRO DE HORAS- NACIMIENTO. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. INFANT JESUS. VIRGIN MARY. SAN JOSE ESPOSO DE LA VIRGEN MARIA.

Book of Hours ca. 1530-35 Simon Bening This diminutive Book of Hours is one of Simon Benings prayerful jewels, intended for use at regular intervals throughout the twenty-four- hour day (ideally every three hours). It was a reminder of the omnipresence of God, meant to be attached to its owner, or stored with precious possessions. There is a special magic achieved by Benings exceptional skill at creating a miniature world. The miniatures follow standard convention, but Bening consistently tweaks the presentation, making this manuscript exceptionally poignant and affecting.. Book of Hours. Simon Bening (Netherlandish, Ghent (?) 1483/84-1561 Bruges). Netherlandish. ca. 1530-35. Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; modern red leather binding. Made in Bruges, present-day Belgium. Manuscripts and Illuminations

Manuscript Leaf with the Crucifixion, from a Book of Hours last quarter 15th century North French. Manuscript Leaf with the Crucifixion, from a Book of Hours 467513

The Nativity. Unknown

Judas Receiving the Thirty Pieces of Silver. Date/Period: Ca. 1525 - 1530. Folio. Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment. Height: 168 mm (6.61 in); Width: 114 mm (4.48 in). Author: Simon Bening.

Crucifixion / Mass book / C13th

Due to the woman's faith, Jesus heals her possessed daughter. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

St John of Patmos, miniature from the Book of Hours Use of Poitiers, Latin and French manuscript illustrated by a student of Robinet Testard, manuscript 1097 folio 1 recto, France end of 15th Century.

Two Manuscript Illuminations with Initials Mounted in One Frame: (N) Christ and the Woman of Samaria at the Well and (L) The Return of the Prodigal Son Two Manuscript Illuminations with Initials Mounted in One Frame: (N) Christ and the Woman of Samaria at the Well and (L) The Return of the Prodigal Son, 16th century. Vellum, 14 1/2 x 21 in. (36.8 x 53.3 cm). European Art 16th century

Descent in the pre-assigned; Passion of Christ. Christ decreases in the pre-borne with a cross in hand and saves the souls. Adam and Eva are behind him. At the top right a demon. This print is part of a handwritten prayer book.

The Annunciation. Culture: Italian. Dimensions: 11 3/8 x 16 1/2 in. (28.9 x 41.9 cm). Date: ca. 1330-40.To create these panels, a Florentine artist first drew the figures on the cotton canvases and then gave them to an embroiderer, who enriched them with brilliantly colored silks, gold threads and variety of stitches. The scenes have greatnarrative charm-note especially the housemaid of the Virgin who quietly witnesses the angel's visit, and the baby Jesus who tries to retreat to his mother's arms during the Holy Family's visit to the Temple. The panels are part of a larger ensemble that once decorated an altar. Florentine embroideries rarely survive, though they were once prized throughout Europe.Please note that this textile is exhibited on a rotating basis due to conservation requirements. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Visitation. Master of Guillaume Lambert (French, active about 1475 - 1485)

Biblia de Vic, 1268. Arxiu y Biblioteca Episcopal de Vic.

Christ as the Man of Sorrows. Unknown

The Holy City, 1325 - 1350

Franciscan Missal of The Crucifixion, by Master of the Deruta Missal, 1280, 13th Century, illuminated manuscript. Italy, Campania, Salerno, Duomo Museum. Whole artwork. Illuminated page. The Crucifixion Jesus Christ crucified Virgin Mary St John intertwined: interlaced: interwoven decorative motifs leaves incipit initial letter writing sacred: holy text.

EVANGELIARIO SEGUN S MATEO- CURACION DE LA HIJA DE LA CANANEA-MILAGRO DE JESUS. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

fine arts, middle ages, illumination, miniature, prayer book of Mary of Guelders, circa 1415, State Library Berlin, Gothic, women, angels, 15th century, Germany,

The Betrayal of Christ. Simon Bening (Flemish, about 1483 - 1561)

Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, assassinated by rebels Date: 1381

Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Armenian mansucript of Gospel (1268).

Female Martyrs and Saints Worshipping the Lamb of God; Master of James IV of Scotland, Flemish, before 1465 - about 1541; Bruges, Belgium, Europe; 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.), Justification: 10.9 x 7.4 cm (4 5/16 x 2 15/16 in.)

Manuscript Leaf with Scenes from the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi ca. 1320-42 Italian Scenes from the story of Saint Francis of Assisi, as articulated in The Golden Legenda compilation of the lives of the saints that was widely diffused in the Middle Agesappear in the quadrants of this manuscript leaf. At the upper left the nimbed and tonsured saint is shown wearing the characteristic garb of the Franciscan order: a hooded brown robe, secured at the waist by a knotted cord, and sandals. The stigmata are visible on his feet and outstretched hands. He addresses a group of birds and two timid animals, whose whiskered muzzles and paws alone can be discerned. Depicted at the upper right is the death of Saint Francis, who is surrounded by his followers. At the lower left the saint appears through a window to revive a dead woman so that she may make her last confession. At the lower right he leads a debtor out of prison.This leaf is part of a celebrated manuscript, already dispersed by t

The end of the world and the Last Judgement. The men will leave the cave without being able to speak or hear. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

The Christ Child Found by His Parents in the Temple; 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.)

Missale Romanum. Netherlands, early 15th century. Manuscripts. Tempera and gold leaf on vellum

Maria as a Hemelkonin standing on the crescent, c. 1530 Maria as a heavenly queen standing on the crescent moon. She is surrounded by four angels. Print is part of a book. print maker: Low Countriespublisher: Amsterdam paper Maria as a heavenly queen standing on the crescent moon. She is surrounded by four angels. Print is part of a book. print maker: Low Countriespublisher: Amsterdam paper

Initial capital letter O with Jesus among the false prophets, miniature by Liberale of Verona, from a gradual, 15th Century.

Presentation of the Dauphin, the future Charles VII, to the people of Paris, 1403, (15th century). Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. The baptismal procession: Martial d'Auvergne, Vigils of Charles VII, France, late fifteenth century; Paris, BnF Department of Manuscripts, French 5054, fol. 3. At baptism, which occurs very soon after birth for fear that the child dies and his soul is deprived of paradise, only the father can attend the ceremony, chaired by Godparents: the mother, in fact, must bedridden forty days (if social condition allows it), until his 'Relevailles' public at the parish church.

Eadwine the Scribe. From Psalter written at Christ Church, Canterbury about middle of 12th century by Eadwine, a monk of the house

Initial B: Four Saints. Olivetan Master (Italian, active about 1425 - about 1450)

Pentecost; Master of James IV of Scotland, Flemish, before 1465 - about 1541; Bruges, Belgium, Europe; 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.), Justification: 10.9 x 7.4 cm (4 5/16 x 2 15/16 in.)

BIBLIA 113 - JACOB LUCHA CON EL ANGEL- S XV-ESCUELA DE TOLEDO-HACIA 1434. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. Jacob. ISAAC HIJO DE. ESAU HERMANO DE.

Saint Alena 18th century Anonymous, 18th century In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, devotional images composed of cut and reassembled prints elaborately adorned with paint, fabric, and other materials found a ready market throughout Catholic Europe. Vividly colored and multitextured, these works stimulated spiritual devotion through their alluring optical and tactile qualities. Long thought to be the products of amateur practitioners, devotional assemblages were more often professionally made, with dedicated industries concentrated in Antwerp and Southern Germany. These works belong to a well-established practice of altering, combining, and repurposing printed images, and they exhibit a sophisticated handling of materials. In this image of Saint Alena, a seventh-century woman who lost an arm when attacked for her Christian faith, the head, arms, and outlines of the engraved figure were colored by hand and laid over textile fragments, accentuating the severed limb.. Saint Alen

Round miniatures of souls in torment, skull, and sun. 1500. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Skull, Hell, Sun

Fourth vision: God seated in glory with angels to either side, proclaims salvation; the archangel Michael fights the 7-headed dragon as devils are hurled by other angels from the sky. (Apoc. 12:7-12). 1425 - 1450. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Michael (Archangel), Dragons

Miniature from a book: Adoration of the Kings, Anonymous, 1475 - 1500 drawing. miniature parchment (animal material). gold leaf. deck paint brush adoration of the kings: the Wise Men present their gifts to the Christ-child (gold, frankincense and myrrh)

The Adoration of the Shepherds. Unknown

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

Moses cilmbs up to God / Illumin. / 1520

Christ and his disciples celebrate Passover; The little passion; Stupid passion. Christ and his disciples eat from the pesery meal. They stand around a round tag and hold a staff. Print is part of a book.

BIBLIA SACRA DE BURGOS - ADAN Y EVA, EXPULSION DEL PARAISO - SIGLO XII - MS 173-F 12V - PROCEDE DE SAN PEDRO DE CARDEÑA. Location: BIBLIOTECA PROVINCIAL. BURGOS. SPAIN. EVE. Adam. DIOS PADRE.

Christ Nailed to the Cross. Unknown

The son of the centurion, healed by Jesus, get out of bed. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

A colored pen drawing from 1420-1430 depicting Moses receiving the tablets of the law, illustrating a biblical event and figure interaction.

people professions scrivener monk Eadwin with penknife and quill detail from Eadwin-Psalter Canterbury mid 12th century,

The Annunciation to the Shepherds. Unknown

Tree of Jesse / French / 16th century

The disciples fishing in the Sea of Galilee. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

BIBLIA S XIII-TOMO I-ELIAS DA A ABDIAS UN MENSAJE PARA ACAB-LIBRO 1º REYES AL 18- MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: ACADEMIA DE LA HISTORIA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. ABDIAS. ELIAS PROFETA SIGLO IX AC.

Presentation of Christ in the Temple, c. 1530 Simeon holds the Christ child in his arms. Maria kneels left in the foreground. Joseph holds a basket with pigeons in his hand. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper Simeon holds the Christ child in his arms. Maria kneels left in the foreground. Joseph holds a basket with pigeons in his hand. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper

The Universal Judgement, miniature from the Missal of St Eulalia, manuscript, Spain 14-15th Century. Detail .34,3 x 26,5 cm. 1st folio. Capítol de la Catedral de Barcelona, Archivo Capitular. Barcelona. Author: DESTORRENTS RAFAEL.

Armenian Christian illustrated manuscript from the 14th century

Bewening, c. 1530 Maria, Maria Magdalena, John and others bore the deceased Christ. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper Maria, Maria Magdalena, John and others bore the deceased Christ. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper

Colored woodcut by an anonymous artist around 1460 depicting Christ and the soul seated on a bench, showing gestures, figure study, and 15th-century religious iconography.

Self-portrait of the scribe, Eadwine, Monk of Christchurch from his own Psalter. Dated 12th Century

The Birth of the Virgin; 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.)

Eadwine the Scribe. From Psalter written at Christ Church, Canterbury about middle of 12th century by Eadwine, a monk of the house.

Symbolic representation against witches and devil worshippers. The people worship a goat while witches and devils cavort in heaven, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from an original of the time

EVANGELIARIO SEGUN S LUCAS-CIEGO BARTIMEO-RES 51-F 18 V. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Apollo and Graces / French book ill.

David as penitent / Illumination

EVANGELIARIO-FOL 31 V. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. JESUS.

ANTIFONARIO DE LEON - MANUSCRITO MOZARABE - SIGLO XI. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO. LEON. SPAIN.

Celebration on a child's birth, miniature from Virgil's Pastoral manuscript, 15th Century.

Martyrology of Usuard, manuscript with the martyrdoms of the saints related to the Christian calendar, year 1254, Girona art museum, Girona, Catalonia, Spain.

Full-page miniature of God creating Adam.. 1445. Schlapperitzin, Konrad ca. um 1445. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Adam (Biblical figure), Creation, God

ANTIFONARIO DE LEON - MENUSCRITO MOZARABE - SIGLO XI - ASCENSION DEL SEÑOR. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO. LEON. SPAIN. JESUS.

The Raising of Lazarus; Norfolk perhaps (written), East Anglia, 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.)

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit; The little passion; Stupid passion. Maria and the apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit drops on them as a pigeon and fiery tongues appear above their heads. Print is part of a book.

Saint. Jerzy killing the dragon a copy of the 17th century icon (from the collections of the National Museum in Lviv) Parasczuk, Sofija (1870 1947)

St Margaret, late 15th century. Artist: Unknown

The Tacuinum (sometimes Taccuinum) Sanitatis is a medieval handbook on health and wellbeing, based on the Taqwim al-sihha ('Maintenance of Health'), an eleventh-century Arab medical treatise by Ibn Butlan of Baghdad. Ibn Butln was a Christian physician born in Baghdad and who died in 1068. He sets forth the six elements necessary to maintain daily health: food and drink, air and the environment, activity and rest, sleep and wakefulness, secretions and excretions of humours, changes or states of mind (happiness, anger, shame, etc). According to Ibn Butln, illnesses are the result of changes in the balance of some of these elements, therefore he recommended a life in harmony with nature in order to maintain or recover one’s health. Ibn Butln also teaches us to enjoy each season of the year, the consequences of each type of climate, wind and snow. He points out the importance of spiritual wellbeing and mentions, for example, the benefits of listening to music, dancing or ha

Miniature from a book: Visitation, Anonymous, 1475 - 1500 drawing. miniature parchment (animal material). gold leaf. deck paint brush Visitation (possibly Joseph and/or Zacharias present) (Luke 1:39-56)

Miniatura de la 'Biblia Sacra', Tinta sobre pergamino, 1268. Museum: Archivo Episcopal de Vic.

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