Medieval Religious Illustrations

Colorful manuscripts and illustrations presenting scenes involving the Virgin Mary, saints, and apocalyptic visions in ornate medieval styles.

St Denis, St Rusticus and St Eleutherius in prison, 1317. Artist: Unknown

A Dragon and a Farmer with a Club; A Hermit before a Chapel and a Maidservant Placing a Bucket over a Mouse. Unknown

Armenian Christian illustrated manuscript showing the flagellation of Christ with Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross: 14th century

The Nativity and The Adoration of the Magi; Unknown; Turkey, Lake Van, Asia; 1386; Black ink and watercolors on paper bound between wood boards covered with dark brown kidskin; Leaf: 24 x 16.5 cm (9 7/16 x 6 1/2 in.)

COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS-FOLIO 136 V, EL TERCER ANGEL DERRAMO SU COPA SOBRE LOS RIOS Y LAS FUENTES DE LAS AGUAS, Y SE CONVIRTIERON EN SANGRE. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: CATEDRAL-BIBLIOTECA. BURGO DE OSMA. Soria. SPAIN. ARCANGEL URIEL.

The Planet Saturn Represented as a Man on a Donkey. Unknown

A Crowned Man Pointing to his Eyes and Holding a Net over a Bird. Unknown

MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº179-F238R-PARALITICA DE MOLINA ES CURADA POR LA VIRGEN DE SALAS. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

The Planet Jupiter Represented as a Bishop on Horseback. Unknown

LIBRO DE APOLONIO(O 3 RR ORIENTE)-S XIII-EPIFANIA-F82V. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. INFANT JESUS. VIRGIN MARY.

Nicephorus and iconoclasts, 1066. Artist: Theodore of Caesarea

Madinah. 1867. al-Jazuli. Manuscripts, Illustrations. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Medina (Saudi Arabia)

BEATO DE SAN SALVADOR DE TABARA, 975- COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS-S XI-CASTIGO DE NABUCODONOSOR A LOS QUE NO ADORAN SU ESTATUA. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO CAPITULAR. GERONA. SPAIN.

MTI1 - CANTIGA DE SANTA MARIA Nº54 - F80R - LA VIRGEN SANA CON SU LECHE A UN MONJE ENFERMO QUE DABAN POR MUERTO - SIGLO XIII. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

BIBLIA VELISLAVOVA - NOE SACRIFICA A ANIMALES EN EL ARCA - SIGLO XIV. Location: BIBLIOTECA CLEMENTINA. PRAG. CZECH REPUBLIC.

CODICE EMILIANENSE - MOZARABE - FOL 119V - SIGLO X. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Initial A with the Battle of the Maccabees. Culture: Italian. Dimensions: 8 1/16 x 5 15/16 in. (20.4 x 15.1 cm). Date: ca. 1360-70.Medieval Christians considered the Maccabees, who regained the Temple in Jerusalem for Jewish worship, as early models for the Christian Crusaders, fighting to recapture the Holy City from Muslim control. This page illustrates a text that would have been sung during worship in a monastery. The Maccabees, dressed as medieval knights and carrying a banner marked "M," triumphantly rout the Greek army from the city. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Healing of a blind one, c. 1530 Christ touches the eyes of a man who was born blind. The disciples watch. Subsequently, Christ commissioned the man to wash himself at the bathhouse of Siloam. In the background you can see that the man was washed at Siloam. Then the man can see. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper Christ touches the eyes of a man who was born blind. The disciples watch. Subsequently, Christ commissioned the man to wash himself at the bathhouse of Siloam. In the background you can see that the man was washed at Siloam. Then the man can see. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper

Martino da Modena / King David Playing the Psaltery in an Initial A. Gradual I, fol. I (detail). Author: MODENA MARTINO. Location: MUSEO SAN PETRONIO. Bologna. ITALIA. DAVID REY SIGLO XI AC.

Two Monkeys Leading a Chained Man before a Crowned Monkey; Other Monkeys Carry Another Man. Unknown

Romania - Moldavia - Suceava. St. George's church, 16th century. UNESCO World Heritage List, 1993. Moses and the Tablets of the Law. Fresco

Archbishop John of Cilician Armenia, in a painting from 1287. His dress displays a Chinese dragon, an indication of Chinese artistic influence via the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

Abruzzo, L'Aquila, Bominaco, S. Pellegrino, Oratory, Italy, 20th century, photo, photography, Europe

CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº265-F25R-VIRGEN CURA A S JUAN DAMASCENO MANO QUE LE CORTA EL EMPERADOR-S XIII. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA. DAMASCENO JUAN. Mansur. LEON III. CONSTANTINO IV.

CODICE EMILIANENSE PROCEDENTE DE SAN MILLAN DE LA COGOLLA - MOZARABE - SIGLO X - FOL 83V. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Josaphat Kneels Before an Altar, and sees his Father's Soul Lifted to Heaven by Angels.

Samuel and Euristeus / Illumination

The Antichrist, miniature from the Latin manuscript III 177 folio 44, 12th Century.

Various measures of weights, miniature from De universo by Rabano Mauro, manuscript, Italy 11th Century.

COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS - MONSTRUOS INVADIENDO LA TIERRA - BEATO DEL ESCORIAL - SIGLO X. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA (730-798). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Saint Luke. Date/Period: 1386. Folio. Black ink and watercolors on paper bound between wood boards covered with dark brown kidskin. Height: 240 mm (9.44 in); Width: 165 mm (6.49 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Christ sitting on the cross; Man of sorrows. Christ, turned to the right, is on the cross that lies on the ground. He has beaten the thorns crown and beaten hands. The whole is surrounded by a wide border frame, composed of the passion tools.

REUNION DE OBISPOS EN EL CODICE ALBENDENSE O VIGILIANO - MOZARABE - FOL 242 V - SIGLO X. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Armenian Christian illustrated manuscript showing the Gospel of Saint Matthew, 14th century

Secundum Elaborate text page in gold, purple and green. 900 - 999. Manuscripts, Illuminations. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Lectionaries

MTI1-CANTIGA DE SANTA MARIA Nº106-F153R-LA VIRGEN SACA A UNOS ESCUDEROS DE LA PRISION-MINIATURA SIGLO XIII - 1ª VIÑETA DE LA 1ª FILA-Cj 18 - FOTO AÑO. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. VIRGEN DE SOISSONS.

John Evangelist, Tempera and gold on parchment, before 1117, Russia, Moscow, State History Museum, 35, 3x28, 6

CONSOLACIONES EN EL ENTRETENIMIENTO DE CALIFAS Y JEFES - MANUSCRITO ARABE 528 - FOL 5R - VISIR ARABE ANTE EL REY CRISTIANO - SIGLO XVI. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Preaching Christ; Stupid passion. Christ appeals a group of people. A woman is sitting on the ground and holds a baby in the arms. Another woman is standing. Print is part of a book.

BIBLIA S XIII- TOMO I- MOISES Y LA ZARZA-EXODO-ANTIGUO TESTAMENTO-MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: ACADEMIA DE LA HISTORIA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Heinrich Sleeping and Saint Hedwig Praying, Heinrich and Saint Hedwig with Their Children; Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg, Polish, 1364 - 1398; Poland, Silesia, Europe; 1353; Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 34.1 x 24.8 cm (13 7/16 x 9 3/4 in.)

Page from an illuminated 14th century, Armenian manuscript, from Matenadaran, Yerevan, Armenia

BEATO DE SAN SALVADOR DE TABARA, VISION DE DIOS ENTRONIZADO, ANCIANOS Y MAR DE VIDRIO, 975- COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO CAPITULAR. GERONA. SPAIN. JESUS. JESUS MAESTRO.

SKYLITZER, John (9th century). Madrid Skylitzes 'Synopsis historiarum'. Synopsis of Histories about the reigns of the Byzantine emperors. 12th c. The monks Theophanes and Theodorus flogged by order of the Emperor Theophilos during the second Iconoclastic controversy. Manuscript produced in Sicily. Byzantine art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). Madrid. National Library.

MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA- Nº 28 -FOL 43 R-LA VIRGEN DEFIENDE CONSTANTINOPLA DE LOS MOROS- S XIII. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Pilate washes his hands in innocence; The little passion; Stupid passion. Pilate washes his hands in innocence. Christ is being led away. Print is part of a book.

Christ for Kajafas, c. 1530 Christ is brought before the high priest Kajafas. Kajafas is sitting on a throne and is about to tear his rug with both hands. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper Christ is brought before the high priest Kajafas. Kajafas is sitting on a throne and is about to tear his rug with both hands. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper

Song of Praise in Heaven over the Fall of the Whore of Babylon; The Wedding of the Lamb from an Apocalypse block book, 2nd edition. Artist: Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century. Dimensions: Sheet: 11 in. × 8 1/16 in. (28 × 20.5 cm). Date: 1440-1450. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Leo the Wise listening to the words of the Patriarch of Constantinople, miniature from the Oracle of Leo the Wise, manuscript, Greece 16th Century.

MTI1 - CANTIGA DE SANTA MARIA Nº 24 - F36V - NACE UNA FLOR DEL CADAVER DEL CLERIGO DE CHARTRES QUE LOABA A LA VIRGEN - SIGLO XIII. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Preaching of Christ, c. 1530 Christ addresses a group of people. A woman sits on the floor and holds a baby in the arms. Another woman is. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper Christ addresses a group of people. A woman sits on the floor and holds a baby in the arms. Another woman is. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper

King Avenir and Josaphat.

Canon Table Page. Mesrop of Khizan (Armenian, active 1605 - 1651)

CONSOLACIONES EN EL ENTRETENIMIENTO DE CALIFAS Y JEFES - MANUSCRITO ARABE 528 - F 23V - GOBERNADORES ANTE EL EMIR - SIGLO XVI. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Commentary of the Book of the Apocalypse by St John and the Book of the Prophet Daniel, by Unknown, 11th Century, miniature codex. Italy, Piemonte, Turin, University National Library. Open volume. book. Left of sunlight-clad woman with her feet resting on the moon and her head crowned by ten stars, a red dragon. drake tries to devour her son while the angels shut him into Hell. Cc. 131 v.- 132 r. Angel.

CODICE EMILIANENSE - MOZARABE - FOL 93 V - SIGLO X. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Detail of Cantiga 28 Depicting Soldiers Encircling Constantinople which Was in the Hands of the Christians Written in Galacian for Alfonso X (1221-84) 'The Wise' 13th Century Spanish School Vellum Biblioteca Monasterio del Escorial, Madrid, Spain

CONCESION DE INDULGENCIAS A LA COFRADIA DE LA VIRGEN DE RODONA. Location: MUSEO EPISCOPAL. VIC. Barcelona. SPAIN.

Mont Athos, Greece , 1918 - Greece - Fernand Cuville - (September) (French - Mont Athos , Grèce). Represented animal , fantastic animal, Christianity, calligraphy, monastery, drawing, Animal , Religion , Art

Josaphat Praying before the Man of Sorrows.

The Pantocrator monastery, Greece , 1918 - Greece - Fernand Cuville - (September) (French - Le monastère du Pantocrator , Grèce). Christianity, calligraphy, monastery, drawing, Religion , Art, Mont Athos , Pantokrator , Manuscrit n°

Heinrich Sleeping and Hedwig Praying; Heinrich and Hedwig with Their Children. Date/Period: 1353. Folio. Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment. Height: 341 mm (13.42 in); Width: 248 mm (9.76 in). Author: Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg.

MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº60-F88V-DE LOOR DE SANTA Mº,DE LAS CINCO LETRAS DE SU NOMBRE-S XIII -. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. EVE. Adam. VIRGIN MARY.

Slave traders, Arabic miniature, 12th Century.

La donación de Ponce de Erill a Alfonso II, 'Liber feudorum maior', cartulario escrito por Ramón de Caldes, siglo XII. Museum: ARCHIVO DE LA CORONA DE ARAGON, Barcelona, SPAIN.

Visigothic art. Spain. Patristic Miscellany, 938. Parchment. Small letter. Initial decorated with zoomorphic figures: cock and fish.

Russian Orthodox miniature depicting a scene from the Apocalypse of Saint John. Circa 1750

Illustration with pope Joan by Jans der Enikel, Watercolor on parchment, End of 13th century, End of 13th - early 14th century, University Library Heidelberg

Cycle of Old and New Testament Images, Possibly Prefatory Cycle for a Psalter 1245-1255 Northern France. Altogether six miniatures in this small volume chronicle the story of Noah as an exemplar of virtue and trust on the left, Noah helps his family escape the flood; on the right, a dove with an olive leaf signifies their deliverance. Such full-page miniatures that served as the primary means of relaying the story, without text, also served as reminders of proper and improper behavior. They probably once prefaced a psalter, or book of Psalms, which both lay and religious communities recited on a daily basis.. Manuscript with 58 full-page miniatures on parchment, with gothica textualis inscriptions in red (probably post-production addition) and black in French and Latin (only on ff. 9v-10r), ruled in graphite, with 2 (modern) fly leaves upper and lower cover, and with trimmed edges and modern cardboard binding .

CODICE ALBENDENSE - VALENTINIANO III JUNTO A DOS OBISPOS - F 102R - MOZARABE - SIGLO X. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Seven sorrows of Maria, monogrammist S (16th century), 1510 - 1530 print Gothic monstrans with seven medallions with the sorrows of Maria. The crucifixion, the burial, the mission, the cross -support, the circumcision, Christ in the temple in discussion with the scholars and the flight to Egypt. Around handwritten texts in black and red. Low Countries paper engraving the crucifixion of Christ: Christ's death on the cross; Golgotha (Matthew 27:45-58; Mark 15:33-45; Luke 23:44-52; John 19:25-38). Christ's entombment (possibly by angels). 'Pietà', 'Vesperbild', 'Marienklage' (no others present): Christ, either with or without crown of thorns, mourned by Mary. the flight into Egypt: Mary, Joseph, the child (and sometimes others) on their way; Mary usually riding on an ass. Christ's dispute with the doctors in the temple; he counts his arguments on his fingers. circumcision of the Christ-child by the priest in the temple (Luke 2:21). carrying of the cross: Christ bearing the cross, alone or

Russian Orthodox miniature depicting the Apocalypse of Saint John. Circa 1750

A painting on paper in color and gold leaf from al-Jazari's ' Kitab fi marifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya' (The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices). Abu al-'Iz Ibn Isma'il ibn al-Razaz al-Jazari (1136-1206) was a polymath: a scholar, inventor, mechanical engineer, craftsman, artist, mathematician and astronomer from Al-Jazira, Mesopotamia, who worked in service of the Artuqid dynasty in Diyarbakir, Asia Minor. He is best known for writing the Kitáb fí ma'rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya (Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices) in 1206, where he described fifty mechanical devices along with instructions on how to construct them.

King Mangkur Nourished by Queen Devika, from a Set of Initiation Cards (Tsakali) 1301-1500 Tibet. Ink and watercolor on paper .

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, Russian icon

Jacobus of the younger one with the zodiac sign bull

Worship by the kings; The little passion; Stupid passion. Two kings kneel for the Christ child that is on his lap at Maria. The third king opens his gift. Print is part of a book.

The Devil with a Man Wearing a Blindfold; The Man Hanging from a Nearby Tree. Unknown

Sphynx Haggadah.

Tree of Jesse by Virgil Master, watercolour on parchment, 1400-1415, active 1380-1420, USA, Philadelphia, Free Library of Philadelphia

Full-page miniature of God creating heaven and earth.. 1445. Schlapperitzin, Konrad ca. um 1445. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Creation, God

14th century, Armenian Evangelical manuscript, The Evangelist St Matthew

Arba'ah Turim or Tur. Halakhic code by Yaakov ben Asher (1270-1340). Hebrew. Miniature. Hebrew marriage scene. 1436. Folio 220v. Vatican Apostolic Library.

Text with rubric and placemarkers. Half-page miniature showing David, a woman, and a dead man.. 1445. Schlapperitzin, Konrad ca. um 1445. text. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division

Armenian Christian illustrated manuscript showing the Gospel of Saint Luke; 14th century

Miniature from Matli' al-sa'det by Seyyid Mohammed ibn Emir Hasan (left part), Anonymous

German 15th Century, The Way of Salvation, c 1490 The Way of Salvation

Canon Table Page.

Alba Bible (1420/30) . Judges 7. Gedeon's Victory over the Midianites. Madrid, Duke of Alba's collection. Location: PRIVATE COLLECTION. MADRID. SPAIN.

John Skylizes, Codex Græcus Matritensis known as the Madrid Skylitzes . Detail from a page: Fight between the Byzantines and the Arabs. Madrid, National Library. Author: John Skylitzes (11th cent.). Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION, MADRID, SPAIN.

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

Four Gospels in Armenian 1434.

The rich man and the mourners cont.; The shepherd and his sheep.. 1480. Aesop. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (illuminations). Spencer Collection. Sheep herding

Twelve -year -old Christ in the temple, c. 1530 As a twelve -year -old, Christ sits on a throne in the temple where he is talking to the scribes who are around him. Maria and Joseph on the left who find him in the temple. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper As a twelve -year -old, Christ sits on a throne in the temple where he is talking to the scribes who are around him. Maria and Joseph on the left who find him in the temple. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper

Saint Philibert, founder of the abbey of Jumieges, miniature from the Citeaux Legendary, manuscript folio 22 verso, France 12th Century.

CODICE ALBENDENSE - MOZARABE - FOL 90 V - SIGLO X. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Foot wash of Peter, c. 1530 Christ washes Peter's feet. The other disciples watch. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper Christ washes Peter's feet. The other disciples watch. Print is part of a book. Amsterdam paper

Initial capital letter depicting a person, Mozarabic miniature relating to the Virginity of Our Lady by San Ildefonso, manuscript.

Rubric and full-page miniature of Jacob wrestling the angel.. 1445. Schlapperitzin, Konrad ca. um 1445. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division

Temple of Diana in Ephesus, 1572 print The Temple of Diana in Ephesus, depicted as an Italian basilica of three floors. In the foreground, architects and stonemasons work on the addition of a column to the structure. King Croesus of Lydië is the client. He looks at how three men discuss the placement of the column. Under the show a verse in Latin. This print is part of an album. parchment (animal material). paper engraving temple of Artemis at Ephesus (Wonder of the World). architect supervising building activities. (story of) Croesus king of Lydia Ephesus

Capture of the Ark / Illumination 1460

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