Illuminated Manuscripts

Medieval illuminated texts featuring colorful illustrations, ornate initials, and scenes depicting historical or religious narratives.

Barlaam Kneeling before an Altar with Josaphat Nearby; 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.)

King Avenir Converses with Josaphat; 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.)

Book of Hours. Workshop of the Bedford Master (French, active first half of 15th century)

King Avenir and a Doctor come to Josaphat; 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.)

Flight Into Egypt Book Of Hours Mid 15th Century Bedford Master Workshop (1430-1465 French) The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, CA

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

Barlaam Kneeling before an Altar with Josaphat Nearby; 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.)

The Battle between the Horsemen and the Beast. Unknown

Woodcut depicting a mercy chair, showing architectural elements, figures, and colored details, illustrating its function.

Barlaam Departs as Josaphat Watches him Sadly; 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.)

JaimesI the Conqueror. Fol 222v of the 'Llibre de franqueses i privilegis del Regne de Mallorca'. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. BALEARES. MALLORCA. Palma de Mallorca. Archive of the Kingdom of Majorca.

Leaf from a Book of Hours: Virgin and Child Enthroned, c. 1470-1480. Circle of Guillaume Vrelant (Flemish, c. 1454-1481). Tempera, liquid gold, and grisaille on vellum; sheet: 10.3 x 7.3 cm (4 1/16 x 2 7/8 in.).

Saint Edward the Confessor; Master of Sir John Fastolf (French, active before about 1420 - about 1450); France; about 1430 - 1440; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 12.1 x 9.2 cm (4 3,4 x 3 5,8 in.)

MS.B.R.20- CANTIGA STA MARIA-Nº312-F58R-D-AMANTES EN LA ALCOBA-MINIATURA GOTICA- S XIII. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

Wheel of Fortune or Rota Fortuane. Concept in medieval and anceint philosophy referring to the capricious nature of Fate. Miniature, 15th century. France. (Photo by: PHAS/UIG)

fol. 98v, 1390

CARLOS V DE FRANCIA EN SU ESTUDIO - 1337-1380. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. CARLOS V EL SABIO.

Alexander and the Niece of Artaxerxes III; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant, Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century; Lille (written), France, Europe; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.)

The Coronation of the Virgin; Workshop of the Bedford Master (French, active first half of 15th century); Paris, France; about 1440 - 1450; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 23.5 x 16.4 cm (9 1,4 x 6 7,16 in.)

Man in Flamboyant Clothes riding Horse 1350.

Richard I of Capua, miniature, Italy 12th Century.

Christ before Annas; Master of the Dresden Prayer Book (Flemish, active about 1480 - 1515); 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.)

This anonymous colored pen drawing from 1420-1430 depicts a victim scene, focusing on figures, posture, and narrative action.

DETALLE MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº11-F19V- MONJE ORANDO A LA VIRGEN, MINIATURA S XIII, REF. ORIGINAL 016242. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

The Construction of the Tower at Babylon 13th Century Mosaic

The Veil of Veronica - One of four Illuminated pages from a Book of Hours, Artist Unknown c. 1430 - 1450

The Deposition; Master of the Lee Hours (Flemish, active about 1450 - 1470); Ghent (probably), Belgium; about 1450 - 1455; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 19.4 x 14 cm (7 5,8 x 5 1,2 in.)

Manessian Relief Handwrite, Faksimile Edition

The Story Of Lancelot And The Quest For The Holy Grail 15th C. French School(- ) Vellum Bibliotheque de l 'Arsenal, Paris, France

Initial L: The Baptism of Saint Augustine; Master of the Osservanza (Italian, active 2nd quarter of the 15th century); Siena, Tuscany, Italy; about 1430; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 18.7 × 16.2 cm (7 3,8 × 6 3,8 in.)

FACSIMIL - LIBRO DE HORAS DE ISABEL LA CATOLICA - SANTA CASILDA - SIGLO XV - 21,7x14 cm. Location: PALACIO REAL-BIBLIOTECA. MADRID. SPAIN.

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

Leaf from a Book of Hours: St. Bartholomew, c. 1440-1460. Flanders, Bruges (), 15th century. Ink, tempera and gold on vellum; each leaf: 12.5 x 8.5 cm (4 15/16 x 3 3/8 in.).

Saint Hedwig Leaving Bloody Footprints in the Snow, The Self-Flagellation of Saint Hedwig; 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.)

Saint Ossanus; Guglielmo Giraldi (Italian, active 1445 - 1489); Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; about 1469; Tempera colors, gold paint, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 10.8 x 7.9 cm (4 1,4 x 3 1,8 in.)

Judith and Holofernes /Illumination 1490

The Massacre of the Innocents; 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.)

Calendar for October with figures of Malachi and St. Simon, quote from Tyrus, disciples, boar, birds, foliage and castles. From an illuminated Book of Hours of the Duke the Anjou., 1380. Chromolithograph in colors and gilt from Henry Noel Humphreys The Illuminated Calendar and Home Diary for 1846, Longmon, London, 1846.

Christ before Pilate; Simon Bening (Flemish, about 1483 - 1561); Bruges, Belgium; about 1525 - 1530; Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf: 16.8 × 11.4 cm (6 5,8 × 4 1,2 in.)

Josaphat receives Communion from Barlaam; 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.)

Judas Conspiring with the Jews and Christ Speaking to the Virgin; 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.)

Liber feudorum maior', cartulario escrito por Ramón de Caldes, siglo XII. Museum: ARCHIVO DE LA CORONA DE ARAGON, Barcelona, SPAIN.

Alexander the Great and the Statue of Nactanebo, miniature from the The History of Alexander the Great by Pseudo-Callisthenes, Parchment Codex by the scribe Nerses, Greek manuscript 424, folio 27 recto, 13th-14th Century.

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

Ptolemy (Claudius of Ptolemaeus c90-158), Alexandrian Greek astronomer and geographer. Artist: Unknown

Attributed to an unknown author identified only as Pseudo-Callisthenes, 'The Romance of Alexander' was first produced in Greek between 200-300 CE from written accounts and stories derived from the oral tradition. Although notionally a history of Alexander the Great (d. 323 BC), it is really a mixture of legend and fact that raised the already remarkable accomplishments of Alexander's thirty two years of life to mythological status. The original Greek manuscript (of which there were actually three editions) is now lost, but it was subsequently translated into the Syriac, Armenian and Pahlavi languages, -- each introducing its own variations -- contributing stories to the Qur'an, inspiring Persian poetry and giving rise to its retranslation and dissemination throughout the Middle East. An early Latin version was the basis for translation into the vernacular languages of Europe where it became established as a popular Medieval tradition.

Scenes from the Life of Absalom. Unknown

Norwegian tapestry detail of the 'Journey of the Magi', 18th century. Artist: Unknown

David and Bathsheba; David Slaying Goliath. Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500)

MTI1-CANTIGA STA MARIA Nº79-F117R-A- NIÑA LIGERILLA LLAMADA MUSA BAILA ENTRE RISAS EN EL JARDIN - SIGLO XIII. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Alexander Fights with a Lion and Kills Clitus. 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.

Hours of Queen Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Spain: Fol. 73r, Descent from the Cross, c. 1500. Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (Flemish, c. 1444-1519), and Associates. Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; codex: 22.5 x 15.2 cm (8 7/8 x 6 in.).

Two men in a field, miniature by Giovannino de Grassi from the Tacuinum Sanitatis (The Medieval Health Handbook), Italy 14th Century.

The Flight into Egypt (Detail): Book of Hours c. 1450-1475 Simon Marmion (c.1425-1489/French) Decorated vellum leaf The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California

Robert III, Prince of Capua, Miniature, Italy 12th Century.

Tournament and other festive happenings in honour of Isabeau de Baviere, the queen of Charles VI, when she arrived at Paris Date: 1389

Colored woodcut from around 1500 depicting a figure in pain, showing detailed facial expression, posture, and surrounding elements in the scene.

Saint Michael and the Dragon; Master of Sir John Fastolf, French, active before about 1420 - about 1450; or England, Europe; about 1430 - 1440; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 12.1 x 9.2 cm (4 3/4 x 3 5/8 in.)

Visitation, by Boccardi Giovanni Boccardino Vecchio, 16th Century, illumination on vellum paper,

HISTORIA MATRITENSIS FOL 99- HISTORIA DE LOS EMPERADORES BIZANTINOS DESDE EL AÑO 811 AL 1057. Author: SKYLITZES JOHN O SCYLITZA IOANNES. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Saint Giles by German master, Tempera on panel, circa 1470-1480, Russia, Moscow, State A. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, 112x109

Miniature from a book of hours: proclamation, draughtsman: anonymous, 1475 - 1500, parchment (animal material), brush, h 88 mm × w 66 mm

"Llibre dels fets" o "Crònica de Jaume I", primera de las cuatro grandes crónicas de la Corona de Aragón, 1343. Biblioteca de la Universidad de Barcelona.

Detalle de una página miniada de las CANTIGAS DE SANTA MARIA, obra personal del rey Alfonso X, "El Sabio" (Toledo,1221-Sevilla,1284). Colección de 430 poemas difundida en códices ilustrados con miniaturas y donde se consigna la melodía de cada composición. "MUSICOS TOCANDO EL TAMBOR Y EL CARAMILLO" Biblioteca de El Escorial. Madrid. España. Cantiga 370.

Prophet in a Historiated Initial "O" from a Gradual. Don Silvestro dei Gherarducci; Italian (Florence), 1339-1399. Date: 1392-1400. Dimensions: 150 x 140 mm. Manuscript cutting in tempera and gold leaf, with incising, on vellum. Origin: Italy. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Praying Prophet. Dated: 1410/1413. Dimensions: overall: 13.1 x 12.9 cm (5 3/16 x 5 1/16 in.). Medium: miniature on vellum. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: LORENZO MONACO.

Saint Gregory as Author. Scriptorium of Weingarten Abbey; South German (Swabia); founded 1056. Date: 1188-1200. Dimensions: 349 x 245 mm. Opaque watercolor on parchment. Origin: Germany. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA. Author: School of Weingarten Abbey.

The Book of Good Morals by Jacques Le Grant (1464). Miniature of the things that fathers shall teach to their sons. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. PICARDY. OISE. Chantilly. Mus_e Cond_ (Cond_ Museum).

Triptych: "La Nativity", "Saint Michel", "Sainte Catherine": central part, signed "Atelier du Triptyque de Louis XII". Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, Petit Palais. 60406-1 Christ, child, birth, nativitis, central part, holy, biblical scene, triptych

Wenceslaus Psalter. Unknown

Miniatura del Libro Verde de Barcelona (Llibre Verd de Barcelona), el más importante libro de privilegios del Consejo de Ciento de Barcelona, siglo XIV. Museum: Arxiu Històric de Barcelona.

The Feast of Dives. Master of James IV of Scotland (Flemish, before 1465 - about 1541)

Miniatura de la portada del "Comentari a los Usatges de Cataluña" por Jaime de Marquillas; Representa el acto de entrega del libro a los Consellers ante el Rey Alfonso V de Aragon; Año 1448.

Flight to Egypt, episode from the New Testament, 13th century. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. ITALY. VENETO. Venice. Biblioteca nazionale marciana (St. Mark's Library).

Miniature of David and Goliath. Initials, border, placemarkers.. 1450 - 1499. text. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. David, King of Israel, Goliath (Biblical giant), Borders (Ornament Areas)

CRONICAS DE LAS CRUZADAS- MANUSCRITO DEL SIGLO XV-1ªCRUZADA-GODOFREDO DE BOUILLON CON SUS BARONES-1099. Author: DREUX JEAN. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. WIEN. AUSTRIA. BOUILLON GODOFREDO DE. BOULOGNE GODROFREDO IV. JERUSALEN REY DE.

Table of Affinity; Paris, France; about 1170 - 1180; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 44.3 x 29.1 cm (17 7,16 x 11 7,16 in.)

LIBRO DE LOS CASTIGOS DEL REY SANCHO IV DE CASTILLA - "SALOMON ARMA CABALLERO A DON SANCHO IV" SIGLO XIII - MS 3995-F2. Author: SANCHO IV (1258-1295). Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. SALOMON REY SIGLO X AC. SANCHO IV EL BRAVO REY DE CASTILLA Y LEON. ALFONSO X EL SABIO HIJO. SANCHO IV INFANTE.

Alfonso X, called 'The Wise' (1221-1284). Cantigas de Santa Maria (Virgin Mary Songs). 13th c. MS T.I. 1. Codex Rico. Cantiga 129. Fol. 183r. Healing of a man wounded in the eye by the Virgin of Salas. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Royal Library of the Monastery of El Escorial.

The king with his Ministers, miniature, 15th Century.

Der Burggraf von Regensburg presides over a trial. Codex Manesse (ca.1300) by Rudiger Manesse and his son Johannes. Miniature. Folio 318r. University of Heidelberg. Library. Germany.

Georges Chastelain (ca. 1405-1475). Burgundian chronicler and poet. Georges Chastelain offering his book to Charles, Duke of Burgundy. Chromolithography after a 15th century miniature from "L'Instruction d'un jeune prince", by G. Chastelain. Sciences & Lettres au Moyen Age et à l'époque de la Renaissance. Paris, 1877.

Colored woodcut depicting the crowning thread, created between 1440 and 1460, showing figures, gestures, and compositional layout.

COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS-FOLIO 59 R. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: CATEDRAL-BIBLIOTECA. BURGO DE OSMA. Soria. SPAIN.

Jean Fouquet / Crossbearing/Illumination

M.B.I.2-CANTIGAS STA MARIA-Nº330-F295V- CODICE MUSICOS-ALBOGUE DOBLE LENGUETA-CASTAÑETAS-TEJOLETAS-CROTALO. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Standing woman on a terrace, a flower branch in her hand. .

Alexander the Great on the throne, miniature from the The History of Alexander the Great by Pseudo-Callisthenes, Greek manuscript, 14th Century.

fol. 56r, 1390

PELAYO (m.737). Noble visigodo, caudillo de la rebelión asturiana (718-737) contra el poder musulmán. Refugiado en el monte Auseva (718), dirigió la sublevación de los astures. Asegurado el movimiento de resistencia, Pelayo se estableció en Cangas de Onís y puso los cimientos del pequeño reino astur. Miniatura. Biblioteca Nacional. Madrid. España.

Historiated Initial Excised from a Bible, 1200s. Italy, 13th century. Tempera and gold on parchment; sheet: 4.5 x 4.5 cm (1 3/4 x 1 3/4 in.).

Saint Nicholas. Date/Period: Ca. 1469. Folio. Tempera colors, gold paint, gold leaf, and ink on parchment. Height: 108 mm (4.25 in); Width: 79 mm (3.11 in). Author: TADDEO CRIVELLI.

Al-Jazari's "Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices": The Castle Water Clock. Date/Period: 1354. Books and manuscripts. Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Height: 393.70 mm (15.50 in); Width: 276.20 mm (10.87 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

The Feast of Dives; 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.)

Scenes from the Life of David; Unknown; France, Northern France, Europe; about 1250; Tempera colors and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf (trimmed on all sides): 32.5 x 29 cm (12 13/16 x 11 7/16 in.)

Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis Unknown. Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis, ca. 1425-1460. Manuscript in opaque watercolor and ink with gold, book: 8 × 5 3/4 × 2 3/8 in. (20.3 × 14.6 cm). European Art ca. 1425-1460

Woman with sword by Jean Colombe, Watercolor on parchment, 1475-1499, circa 1430-circa 1493, Usa, New York, New York Public Library

LIBRO DE LA CORONACION DE LOS REYES DE CASTILLA Y ARAGON - SIGLO XIV - REY DE CASTILLA Y SU SEQUITO. Author: RAIMUNDO EBRARD II (-1331) OBISPO DE COIMBRA. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. ALFONSO XI EL JUSTICIERO.

Scribe Writing, probably Eadmer of Canterbury. Unknown

Colored woodcut by an anonymous artist depicting a clipping scene, showing figures in a detailed composition with decorative elements.

German 15th Century, Saint Barbara, 1460-1470, woodcut in brown, hand-colored in red lake, yellow, green, blue, ochre, and gold

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