Medieval Religious Manuscripts

Illuminated manuscripts illustrating religious scenes, parables, and historical events from medieval times, rich in detail and color.

Holy Saturday Scroll: A Parable Illustration 11th C. Manuscripts

Singer with organ accompaniment, miniature by Giovannino De Grassi from Tacuinum Sanitatis (The Medieval Health Handbook), Latin manuscript, 14th Century.

Holy Saturday Scroll: A Parable Illustration 11th C. Manuscripts

King Avenir, Josaphat, and Nachor Behold Hour Manna Fell in the Desert.

Gregory VII (Gregorio VII), pope from 1073 to 1085. Library of the Vatican. Chronicle . Audience in Canossa in 1077 - Henry IV of Germany asking for Pope Gregory VII and Matilda's forgiveness. Author: GIOVANNI VILLANI (1280-1348). Location: BIBLIOTECA APOSTOLICA-COLECCION. VATICANO. GREGORY VII POPE. ENRIQUE IV DEL SACRO IMPERIO ROMANO. MATILDE CONDESA. CLUNY ANDRES (ABAD). MATILDE DE CANOSA. CANOSSA MATILDE.

MTI1-CANTIGA DE SANTA MARIA Nº169-F226V-VIRGEN GUARDA DEL ATAQUE MORO A LA IGLESIA DE ARRIXACA DE MURCIA-S XIII-1ª VIÑETA DE LA 2ª FILA-Cj - FOTO AÑO. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. JAMES I OF ARAGON. Alfonso X of Castile. VIRGEN DE LA ARRIXACA / VIRGEN DE ARRIXACA. JAIME I DE ARAGON EL CONQUISTADOR (1208-76).

Theodas and Another Man Before the Enthroned Josaphat.

Ivan IV, and prince Ivan and prince Fedor. Miniature from the book The Tale of the Kazan Icon, 16th century. Ivan Ivanovich of Russia, son of Ivan IV the Terrible, Tsarevich, also known as Ivan Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich or Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich of Russia.

MTI1-CANTIGA DE SANTA MARIA Nº4-F9V-A-COMO UN JUDIO APRENDIA A LEER CON LOS CRISTIANOS-MINIATURA SIGLO XIII. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. ABEL JUDIO.

Rubric and miniature of Moses, Pharaoh, and the snakes., 1445

Christ shows his wounds to the Father

The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. Of several competing theories, the dominant explanation for the Black Death is the plague theory, which attributes the outbreak to the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Thought to have started in China, it travelled along the Silk Road and reached the Crimea by 1346. From there, probably carried by Oriental rat fleas living on the black rats that were regular passengers on merchant ships, it spread throughout the Mediterranean and Europe. The Black Death is estimated to have killed 30-60 percent of Europe's population, reducing the world's population from an estimated 450 million to between 350 and 375 million in the 14th century. The aftermath of the plague created a series of religious, social and economic upheavals, which had profound effects on the course of European history. It took 150 years for Europe's population to recover. The plague returned at various times, killing

BREVIARIO DE AMOR- S XV- LA NEGACION DE PEDRO- MINIATURA EN GRISALLA. Author: MATFRE ERMENGAUD DE BEZIERS. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. APOSTLE PETER.

Leaf from a Psalter(): Annunciation (recto); Nativity (verso), early 1200s. Germany, Bavaria (possibly Prufening or Augsburg), 13th century. Ink and tempera on parchment; sheet: 19 x 15 cm (7 1/2 x 5 7/8 in.). Psalters were commonly used in monasteries and convents during the Middle Ages; the exact origin of this detached psalter leaf, however, is unclear. Stylistically it relates to a small number of manuscripts produced at Prüfening Abbey near Regensburg and to other examples associated with scriptoria at Augsburg from the early 1200s. Though its immediate source remains obscure, it is certainly South German.

German 15th Century, Caiaphas Tearing his Clothes, probably 1449 Caiaphas Tearing his Clothes

Jesus is tortured and mocked by the soldiers. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

Bishop Engilmar Celebrating Mass; Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany; about 1030 - 1040; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 23.2 x 16 cm (9 1,8 x 6 5,16 in.)

MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº125-F177V-VIRGEN SEPARA CLERIGO Y DONCELLA-CONJURA CONTRA DEMONIOS- DETALLE 185447. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. OBISPO FELIX.

Lauber, Diebold, (Workshop) Private Collection Book Art 28,5x17 History Burning of Jan Hus at the stake (From: The life and times of the Emperor Sigismund by Eberhard Windeck)

DIEZ, TERESA PINTORA EN ACTIVO DURANTE LA DECADA 1320 "EPIFANIA", MURAL AL FRESCO SECO TRASPLANTADO A LIENZO. VIRGEN MARIA. REYES MAGOS IGLESIA DE SAN SEBASTIAN DE LOS CABALLEROS. TORO.(ZAMORA).

Eginhard the Historian recording the life of Charlemagne, miniature from the Great Chronicles of France Manuscript 5 folio 100 recto, France 14th Century.

The Marriage of the Virgin. Dated: 1480/1490. Medium: woodcut, hand-colored in red lake, rose, blue, green, yellow, black, gold, and orange. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: German 15th Century.

Charles II (Charles the Bad) Preaching to Clerics (14th C. ). Biblioteque Nationale, Paris. From the Grandes Chroniques de France. 1375-1380 manuscript

King David, miniature from Expositiones above Genesis, manuscript Italy 11th Century.

The Doge of Venice giving orders to his troops, miniature from the Cronica (Chronicles) of Venice, Italy 15th Century.

An anonymous circa 1460-1470 colored woodcut depicts Saint Apollonia, emphasizing figure, gesture, and religious iconography.

Medardus and Radegunda, miniature from the Life of Saint Radegunda, illumination from Poitiers, Abbey of Saint Croix, manuscript, France 11th Century.

The thief welcomed home by his wife. 1440. text. Manuscripts, Drawings. Spencer Collection

Two Clerics Requesting the Canonization of Saint Hedwig before Pope Urban IV; Pope Clement Requesting Saint Hedwig's Intercession to Heal His Blind Daughter. Unknown maker

Haman on the gallows / Illumination 1400

Count Tedald of Canossa, his wife Giulia and their sons Tedald, Boniface and Conrad, 111-1116. Frontispiece of Domnizo's Vita Mathildis or Acta Comitissae Mathildis, miniature. (Codex. Vat. Lat. 4922, fol 21v). Vatican Apostolic Library. Vatican City.

A colored pen drawing by an anonymous artist depicting Joseph's brothers asking for grain, showing figures, gestures, and interaction, dated 1420-1430.

Miniature of "Decretum Gratiani" paint on parchment (Ms.239), Cathedral of Tortosa. Gothic. 12th. Museum: Biblioteca Capitular de Tortosa.

Spanish school. Cantigas de Santa Maria (manuscript with music notations): Albogon (or al-bûq) and tambourine players. 13th century. Canticle n°300, folio 368 V. Madrid, San Lorenzo de El Escorial library. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº83-F121V-LA VIRGEN LIBERA A UN CAUTIVO CRISTIANO DE LOS MOROS-S XIII- DETALLE 185429. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. VIRGEN DE SOPETRAN.

Baptising an infidel, miniature from the Entree d'Espagne, manuscript, 14th Century.

Wise and Foolish Virgins/ Illumin./ 1360

The Translation of Josaphat's Relics to a Church By a King and Procession.

BIBLIA S XIII-TOMO I -ELIAS Y ELISEO CRUZAN EL RIO JORDAN AL SEPARARSE LAS AGUAS-MANUSCRITO GOTICO. Location: ACADEMIA DE LA HISTORIA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. ELISEO. ELIAS PROFETA SIGLO IX AC.

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

LLIBRE VERMELL (LIBRO ROJO) - CODICE 1 - VIRGEN CON NIÑO EN LA INSCRIPCION DE COFRADES 1399. Location: MONASTERIO DE STA MARIA DE MONTSERRAT-MUSEO. MONTSERRAT. Barcelona. SPAIN.

URBAN II (c. 1035 - 1099). First Crusade (1095). Council of Clermont. Pope Urban II authorizes the departure to the Crusades. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. LE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. Bibliothque de l'Arsenal (Library of the Arsenal).

A woman drawing water from a well, miniature from De universo by Rabano Mauro, manuscript, 1023 Italy.

A colored pen drawing from 1420-1430 showing David with Saul, depicting figures, interaction, clothing, and gestures.

BIBLIA S XIII- TOMO I -MOISES SACA AGUA DE ROCA-EXODO-ANTIGUO TESTAMENTO-MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: ACADEMIA DE LA HISTORIA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. MOSES. AARON SUMO SACERDOTE.

Doctrine chreti_nne (Christian Doctrine) (13th c.). Folio 56: Depictions of the Humility (woman with lamb), the Pride (man throwing himself out of a tower), the Sin (two men talking) and the Hypocrisy (man before the altar). Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. Valencia. Valencia University Library.

Gregory the Great in a chair, inspired by the heavenly dove, known to the writer Peter, miniature from the Sacrementary from Bishop Varmondo (Warmondus), Italy 10th-11th Century.

Scene from the 14th Century, illustrated manuscript the Breviari damor. It illustrates the seven Acts of Mercy. Here is shown sheltering the homeless

CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº254-F7R-MONJES ABANDONAN MONASTERIO Y SE SALVAN POR INVOCACION A LA VIRGEN- DETALLE 186320. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

Text with rubric and placemarkers. Half-page miniature including King David.. 1445. Schlapperitzin, Konrad ca. um 1445. text. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division

The Healing of the Blind; The Healing of the Possessed; Lake Van, Turkey; 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.)

The Tacuinum (sometimes Taccuinum) Sanitatis is a medieval handbook on health and wellbeing, based on the Taqwim alsihha تقويم الصحة ('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

A 1488 colored woodcut by Peter Berger showing Saint Antonius performing a miracle by healing a virgin afflicted with worms.

Jacob' Blessing / Spanish illumination

Red Book of Montserrat. 14th c. - 16th c. Pope Nicholas granting full indulgence ot the members of the Brotherhood of the Virgin of Montserrat. In the foregound, the king Alfonso IV of Aragon. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. CATALONIA. BARCELONA. Monistrol de Montserrat. Library of Montserrat Abbey.

Colored pen drawing by an anonymous artist depicting a king and a priest in a teaching or advisory scene, 1420-1430.

Jesus before Pilate who tries to convince the Jews to set free him. Illuminated pages of the Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

Jesus before Pilate who tries to convince the Jews to set free him. Illuminated pages of the Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

LITERATURA CATALANA. Siglos XIV-XV. EIXIMENIS, Francesc (1340-1409). "DE NATURA ANGELICA" o "LLIBRE DELS ANGELS". Escrito en el 1392. Manuscrito con la Virgen y el niño, con ángeles y un franciscano de rodillas, que es sin duda F. Eiximenis. Biblioteca de Cataluña. Barcelona. Cataluña.

BIBLIA DEL SIGLO XIII - TOMO I - SAMUEL UNGE A DAVID - MINIATURA GOTICA. Location: ACADEMIA DE LA HISTORIA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. Isai. DAVID REY SIGLO XI AC. SAMUEL-PERSONAJE BIBLICO.

Parable of the king and the servant who did not forgive, master of Antwerp (I) (attributed to), 1485 - 1491 print Low Countries paper the unmerciful servant: the king forgives him his debts ~ parable of Christ (Matthew 18:23-35)

Emilia-Romagna Forli Cesena Biblioteca Comunale03. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 .. Medieval: Manuscripts: 1) Laurentius Rusius: "De cura equorum" (15th century) BCM S.XXVI.2 2) Paolo Veneto: "History of the Origins of the World through Henry VII" (14th century) BCM S.XI.5 3) S. Isidorus: "Etymologies" (late 8th-early 9th centuries) BCM S.XXI.5 4) Gospel Book (Evangeliario), Greek (10th century) BCM D.XXVII.4 5) Pentateuch, Prophets, and Hagiographies, Hebrew (1348) BCM S.XXIX.1 6) "Somnium Scipionis", misc. (14th-15th centuries) BCM S.XII.6 7) Boethius: "De Consolatione Philosophie" (14th century) BCM D.XIV.1 8) Justinian: "Institutiones" (14th century) BCM S.IV.I 9) Bible (Old and New Testaments) (13th-14th centuries) BCM D.V.2 10) Giabir Ibn Afla "Almagestus" (De Astronomia) (13th and 15th centuries) BCM S.XXVII.2. Post-medieval: Manuscripts: 1) St. Augustine: "Enarrationes in Psalmos" (1452) BCM D.III.2 2) Herodotus: Histories (15th century) BCM S.X1V.1 3) St. Augustine: "De Civitate Dei"

Becket, Saint Thomas. Saxon prelate and politician, archbishop of Canterbury.; SALISBURY, John of (h.115-1180). French prelate. Bishop of Chartres in 1176. Scene from the murder of Saint Thomas Becket. Illuminated page from a manuscript on the life of the saint written by John of Salisbury. Miniature of the French School. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. UNITED KINGDOM. ENGLAND. London. The British Museum.

Fourteen saints. Fragment of a woodcut with fourteen emergency help. Eight standing saints with their attributes: the first is no longer clearly visible, then Egidius, Nicolaas (not one of the emergency help), Vitus, Eustachius, Margaretha, Catharina and Barbara.

A servant brings Iseult a message, miniature from Roman de Tristan by Thomas of Britain, folio 71, manuscript, France, ca 1170.

DE PREDIS, Cristoforo (1440-1486). Stories of Saint Joachim, Saint Anne, Virgin Mary, Jesus, the Baptist and the End of the World. 1476. Jews and Priests remember Pilate that Jesus had predicted that he would be reborn at the third day. Renaissance art. Quattrocento. Miniature Painting. ITALY. PIEDMONT. Turin. Royal Library.

Judith beheading Holofernes, miniature from the Bible of Souvigny, Latin manuscript 1 folio 291 verso, 12th Century.

Parable from the Lord who gave his servant money. Two scenes with the Lord and servant in space with checkered floor.

Lubert Hautscilt handing over the Certificate of Membership in the "Fratres ad Succurendum" Brotherhood to Duke of Berry, Anonymous

Psalter of Saint Louis and of Blanca de Castilla. beg. 13th c. Fol. 1v. The astronome with an astrolabe and the mathematician establishing the liturgical year calendar. Late Byzantine art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. ëLE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library.

Jesús cura en sábado en casa de un fariseo. Página miniada del Códice de Predis, 1476). Renacimiento-Quattrocento (siglo XV). Biblioteca Real. Turín. Italia.

Hus, Jan (1369-1415). Czech priest and religious reformer.; RICHENTAL, Ulrich von (1365-1438). Chronicler. Illustration of John Huss' arrest in Constance, from the 'Chronik des Constanzer concils' (Chronicle of the Council of Constance) by Ulrich von Richental. Anonymous illustration from the German School. Miniature Painting. CZECH Rep.. Prague. National Library of the Czech Republic.

Cristofor de Premis (1440-1486). Italian miniaturist. Jesus cures a girl on Saturday. Codex De Predis. (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

ADORACION DE LOS REYES MAGOS - EVANGELIARIO DE PARIS PARA USO DE CARLOS DUQUE DE ANGULEMA - FECHADO ENTRE 1501 Y 1600 - PERGAMINO. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. INFANT JESUS. VIRGIN MARY. SAN JOSE ESPOSO DE LA VIRGEN MARIA. Melchor. Gaspar. BALTASAR.

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

Cristofor de Premis (1440-1486). Italian miniaturist. Jesus healing a demoniac. Codex De Predis. (1476). Royal Library, Turin, Italy.

CRONICAS DE LAS CRUZADAS- MANUSCRITO DEL SIGLO XV-EL CONDE JEAN DE BREFINE ES CORONADO REY JERUSALEN-1ªCRUZADA. Author: DREUX JEAN. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. WIEN. AUSTRIA.

The adoration of the Magi, miniature from the Saint Wulfram Gospels, manuscript folio 249 recto, France 15th Century.

Marys at the Sepulchre, mosaic detail from the octagonally-segmented central dome, 1270-1300, Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista, Florence. Italy, 13th-14th century.

Easter. Jesus went to the pool of Bethesda (Jerusalem) where there were many sick. An angel stirred the water and the first to be launched, was healing. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin. Italy.

Full-page miniature showing God raining arrows of fire.. 1445. Schlapperitzin, Konrad ca. um 1445. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division

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

Vigilian or Albelda Codex. 10th c. Council of Nicaea. Mozarabic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Royal Library of the Monastery of El Escorial. Proc: SPAIN. LA RIOJA. Albelda de Iregua. Monastery of Saint Martin.

Parable from the king and servant who did not donate forgiveness.

FRONTAL DE ESPINELVAS-DET IZQ REYES MAGOS Y VIRGEN-S XII-ROMANICO. Location: MUSEO EPISCOPAL. VIC. Barcelona. SPAIN. VIRGIN MARY. Melchor. Gaspar. BALTASAR.

ELFNOTH Abbot. Presenting a book of prayer to the Monastery of St. Augustin. Date: Died AD 980

CRONICAS DE LAS CRUZADAS- MANUSCRITO DEL SIGLO XV - DAMOU HECHO REY DE JERUSALEM POR SU ESPOSA. Author: DREUX JEAN. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. WIEN. AUSTRIA.

Naboth's vineyard/Illumination 1460

Master of Soriguerola (active late 13th century-early 14th century). Panel of Saint Michael. Detail depicting Saint Michael with the devil weighing souls and an angel delivering the soul of a chosen one to Saint Peter. End of 13th century. From the Parish Church of Sant Miquel de Soriguerola (Fontanals de Cerdanya, Catalonia). National Art Museum of Catalonia. Barcelona. Catalonia. Spain.

The anndern comedies euner. Bl. XXXVII Rector from: Tensentius AFER, Citizenship: Comtoedia DT. COMDIES. Tarkingburg: Johann (Reinhard) Greniner, 5. Mezi 1499. 2O. Dresden: Slub, Ink.1719

Detail of altar frontal San Vicenç d'Espinelves. Adoration of the Magi. Romanesque 12th.

King David, Psalm 53 / Illumination

Vita Mathildis. Ms Lat 4922. 1114. Emperor Henry IV, kneeling before Matilda of Tuscany in the presence of the abbot Hug of Cluny, asking her to intercede for him with the Pope Gregory VII (1077). Romanesque art. Miniature Painting. VATICAN CITY. Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican Library).

Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine: St. Patrick (Detail) Late 13th C. Artist Unknown Illuminated manuscript The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California

Italian 15th Century, The Annunciation to Zacharias, c 1400 The Annunciation to Zacharias

Christ with in conversation with nicodemus.

Saint Cuthbert (c. 634 - 20 March 687) was an Anglo-Saxon monk, bishop and hermit, associated with the monasteries of Melrose and Lindisfarne in the Kingdom of Northumbria. After his death he became one of the most important medieval saints of England, with a cult centred at Durham Cathedral. Cuthbert is regarded as the patron saint of northern England. His feast day is 20 March. He grew up near the new offshoot from Lindisfarne at Melrose Abbey, which is today in Scotland but was then in Northumbria. He had decided to become a monk after seeing a vision on the night in 651 that St Aidan, the founder of Lindisfarne, died, but seems to have seen some military service first. He was quickly made guest-master at the new monastery at Ripon, soon after 655, but had to return with Eata to Melrose when Wilfrid was given the monastery instead. About 662 he was made prior at Melrose, and around 665 went as prior to Lindisfarne. In 684 he was made bishop of Lindisfarne but by late 686 resigned an

King Avenir with Courtiers Converses with Josaphat.

Betrayal of Judas; The little passion; Stupid passion. Judas goes to the high priests where he betrays Christ. Mounted below: E. Prent is part of a book.

An English Seneschal: official in a medieval noble household in charge of domestic arrangements, servants & sometimes dispensing justice and high military commands. Date: 14th century

MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº83-F121V-LA VIRGEN LIBERA A UN CAUTIVO CRISTIANO DE LOS MOROS-S XIII- DETALLE 185429. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. VIRGEN DE SOPETRAN.

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