Medieval Manuscript Illuminations

Illuminated manuscripts depicting biblical scenes and saints. Detailed illustrations and vibrant colors capture the artistry and religious significance of the time.

Mary, John, Jacobus / Illumination

Mary, John, Jacobus / Illumination

Initial C: Christ in Majesty between the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist. Unknown

Initial C: A Priest Celebrating Mass. Date/Period: Ca. 1290 - 1310. Folio. Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment. Height: 365 mm (14.37 in); Width: 240 mm (9.44 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Initial D: The Mocking of Christ; Initial D: The Flagellation; Initial D: The Way to Calvary; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3,8 x 7 3,16 in.)

Initial I: Saint John with God above. Unknown

Initial D: David Kneeling in Prayer. Bute Master (Franco-Flemish, active about 1260 - 1290)

Initial F: The Tree of Jesse. Unknown

The Birth of the Virgin; Initial S: The Virgin Reading. Master of the Brussels Initials (Italian, active about 1389 - 1410)

MISAL MIXTO URGELLENSE. Author: RAFAEL DESTORRENTS (S XIV). Location: CATEDRAL-MUSEO DIOCESANO. SEO DE URGEL. Lerida. SPAIN.

Initial P: Saint Paul and a Priest. Unknown

Initial S: A Man with a Cross Chasing Away Two Devils. Unknown

Angels Holding the Four Winds and an Angel Signifying Christ; London (probably), England; about 1255 - 1260; Tempera colors, gold leaf, colored washes, pen and ink on parchment; Leaf: 31.9 x 22.5 cm (12 9,16 x 8 7,8 in.)

Initial E: Christ Holding a Crown and David. Bute Master (Franco-Flemish, active about 1260 - 1290)

All Saints; Initial E: Saint Andrew. Master of the Brussels Initials (Italian, active about 1389 - 1410)

Manuscript Leaf with Initial M, from a Missal ca. 1290 French With its marriage of elegant foliate decoration and refined lettering, this leaf from a missal is characteristic of Gothic manuscript illumination in northern France. The taut vines and letters are close to those on a number of manuscript leaves attributed to the city of Beauvais. The text comprises the special prayers for the feast of Saint John the Baptist (June 24): readings from Psalm 91 and the Books of Isaiah and Jeremiah, the Gradual, the Gloria, and the Alleluia.. Manuscript Leaf with Initial M, from a Missal. French. ca. 1290. Tempera and gold on parchment. Made in Beauvais (), France. Manuscripts and Illuminations

Initial E: A Saint Holding a Scroll. Bute Master (Franco-Flemish, active about 1260 - 1290)

The Fifth Vessel: The Slandering of God. Unknown

Initial C: A Priest Before an Altar. Bute Master (Franco-Flemish, active about 1260 - 1290)

Initial P: Saint Paul Giving a Book to a Messenger. Unknown

Initial G: Christ before Pilate; Brabant (possibly), Flanders, Belgium; after 1460; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 17.1 x 12.2 cm (6 3,4 x 4 13,16 in.)

Initial D: The Annunciation to the Shepherds; Initial V: A Man in Prayer. Unknown

A Falcon within a Cross. Unknown

Initial D: A Young Man in Prayer before God. Unknown

Initial Q: Saint Anthony Reassuring Bishop Theophilus and His Companions During a Great Storm. Master of the Brussels Romuléon or workshop (Flemish, active about 1465)

Initial D: A Young Man in Prayer before God; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3,8 x 7 3,16 in.)

Initial D: A Young Man in Prayer; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3,8 x 7 3,16 in.)

Initial L: Christ Speaking to Four Men. Unknown

The Annunciation; Initial V: The Virgin in Prayer. Master of the Brussels Initials (Italian, active about 1389 - 1410)

Initial L: A Kneeling Nun in Prayer before Christ. Unknown

Initial E: Christ Holding a Crown and Flail. Bute Master (Franco-Flemish, active about 1260 - 1290)

The Removal of the Two Witnesses and the Destruction of the City; London (probably), England; about 1255 - 1260; Tempera colors, gold leaf, colored washes, pen and ink on parchment; Leaf: 31.9 x 22.5 cm (12 9,16 x 8 7,8 in.)

Initial G: The Face of Christ. Unknown

Initial D: David and Christ; 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.)

Initial I: God Appearing to Zechariah. Unknown

Initial T: A Priest Celebrating Mass. Unknown

Initial D: David in Prayer; Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; about 1280 - 1290; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 37.5 x 24.8 cm (14 3,4 x 9 3,4 in.)

Initial H: Moses Speaking to the Israelites. Unknown

Initial G: The Betrayal of Christ. Unknown

The Seventh Trumpet: The Twenty-Four Elders Adoring the Throne of God. Unknown

Initial D: A Bishop Enthroned with Two Plantiffs. Unknown

Opening of text with large illuminated initial showing Virgin and Child. Other initials, rubrics, placemarkers, and border design with figure of lion.. 1475 - 1499. text. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division. Jesus Christ, Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint, Lions, Borders (Ornament Areas)

Initial D: Zacchaeus and Christ; Hildesheim, Germany; probably 1170s; Tempera colors, gold leaf, silver leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 28.2 × 18.9 cm (11 1,8 × 7 7,16 in.)

Initial M: The Virgin and Child with a Saint. Unknown

Ave Maria, 15th century, Artist Unknown, French, 15th century, 5 1/2 × 4 in. (13.97 × 10.16 cm) (sight), Tempera, gold leaf, and pen and ink on vellum, 15th century, This leaf probably comes from a prayer book produced in France in the 1400s. It contains several appeals the Virgin Mary. Before or after each one is the expression 'Ave Maria,' meaning 'Hail Mary.'

Initial O: Habakkuk with Food from God. Unknown

Pentecost. Master of Jean de Mandeville (French, active 1350 - 1370)

Initial D: The Ascension; Bruges (possibly), Belgium; mid-1200s; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 23.5 x 16.5 cm (9 1,4 x 6 1,2 in.)

Text with rubric and placemarkers. Large historiated initial of Assumption of the Virgin. 1475 - 1499. text. Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations), Illuminations. Spencer Collection. Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint , Assumption

Christ and an Apostle in Conversation. Unknown

Initial F: The Sacrifice of Elkanah. Unknown

Initial I: Saint James with Christ above. Unknown

Initial F: The Annunciation to Zechariah. Circle of Stefan Lochner (German, died 1451)

Apostles Judas et al/Illumination 1310

Initial C: The Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket. Unknown

Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg, from a 14th-century illuminated manuscript

Initial D: Zacchaeus and Christ. Unknown

Christ in Majesty; Initial A: A Man Lifting His Soul to God. Master of the Brussels Initials (Italian, active about 1389 - 1410)

Moses Made Commander of the Israelites. Master of Jean de Mandeville (French, active 1350 - 1370)

Initial S: The Virgin and Child with Two Men in Prayer. Unknown

Initial C: Monks Singing. Unknown

Initial A: A Priest Sacrificing a Ram before an Altar. Bute Master (Franco-Flemish, active about 1260 - 1290)

Initial C: Monks Singing. Date/Period: Ca. 1420. Detached leaf. Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment. Height: 465 mm (18.30 in); Width: 346 mm (13.62 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Initial D: A Saint Holding a Scroll. Bute Master (Franco-Flemish, active about 1260 - 1290)

Sadoch Meeting King Pelias and the Queen. Unknown

Saint John the Evangelist Consoled by an Elder and by an Angel Holding a Scroll. Unknown

Initial L: God Speaking to Moses. Circle of Stefan Lochner (German, died 1451)

Gradual - Adoration Of The Magi Artist Unknown Manuscript Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois, USA

The Crucifixion. Unknown

The Assumption of the Virgin; Initial G: Saint Thomas Receiving the Virgin's Girdle. Master of the Brussels Initials (Italian, active about 1389 - 1410)

Daniel Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's Dream.

Initial I: Saint Mark. Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop (Flemish, active about 1480 - 1515)

Jeremiah before Jerusalem in Flames; Master of Jean de Mandeville (French, active 1350 - 1370); Paris, France; about 1360-1370; Tempera on parchment; Leaf: 34.9 × 26 cm (13 3,4 × 10 1,4 in.)

Initial F: The Nativity. Unknown

Rebuilding the Temple / Illumination

Initial G: Mary Magdalene. Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop (Flemish, active about 1480 - 1515)

Virgin w. Child and 2 Worshipp./Illumin.

Initial S: The Resurrection. Workshop of Valentine Noh (Bohemian, active 1470s)

Initial V: God Speaking to Moses from a Tower. Unknown

Initial I: Saint Mark with his Symbol. Unknown

Initial D: Christ in Majesty; Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; about 1280 - 1290; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 37.5 x 24.8 cm (14 3,4 x 9 3,4 in.)

Apostles Philip et al./Illumination 1310

Raising of Lazarus. Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500)

Initial P: Saint Paul. Unknown

The Seven Churches of Asia Minor; London (probably), England; about 1255 - 1260; Tempera colors, gold leaf, colored washes, pen and ink on parchment; Leaf: 31.9 x 22.5 cm (12 9,16 x 8 7,8 in.)

Initial A: The Beheading of Four Martyrs. Unknown

Christ with Saints/ Illumination/ C13th

Initial B: Christ with David Playing the Harp. Unknown

The Seventh Seal: An Angel Censing an Altar and Pouring the Censer over the Earth. Unknown

The Massacre of the Two Witnesses by the Beast. Unknown

Initial D: A Priest Anointing a Man. Unknown

Initial Q: Saint John the Evangelist in a Vat of Boiling Oil. Unknown

Initial O: Saint Nicholas Blessing a Child. Georges Trubert (French, active Provence, France 1469 - 1508)

God Burying Moses; Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany; about 1400 - 1410; Tempera colors, gold, silver paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 33.5 x 23.5 cm (13 3,16 x 9 1,4 in.)

Initial D: A Bishop Enthroned Speaking to a Man; Sens (or), 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.)

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple; Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany; about 1400 - 1410; Tempera colors, gold, silver paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 33.5 x 23.5 cm (13 3,16 x 9 1,4 in.)

Misal of Bishop Galceran of Vilanova. 14th century. Miniature. Diocesan Museum of La Seu d'Urgell. Catalonia. Spain.

Initial D: The Virgin and Child. Unknown

Manuscript Leaf with the Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew, from a Laudario ca. 1340 Pacino di Bonaguida Italian On this page, the final moments of the martyrdom of the apostle Bartholomew unfold with a dance-like grace that lends a sacred air to horrific events. At the left, three tormentors flay his legs and arms as Bartholomew stands chained to a city gate. At the right, the saint, wearing his own flesh tied about his neck as a mantle, kneels in prayer before a rock, his haloed head tumbling to the ground. Pacino was a leading member of the painters guild in Florence. This page comes from the most important manuscript created in that city in the first half of the fourteenth century, a laudario, or book of hymns in Italian. Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #2844. Leaf from a Laudario with the Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. We are wo

The Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Unknown

David with the Head of Goliath before Saul.

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