Medieval Manuscript Illustrations

A collection of vibrant miniature scenes depicting historical and royal events from medieval Europe, featuring knights, kings, and scholars in elaborate settings.

Horsemen Meeting an Abbot and Two Monks at a Monastery; 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.)

Scenes from the Life of Absalom; Northern France, France; about 1250; Tempera colors and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf: 32.5 × 29 cm (12 13,16 × 11 7,16 in.)

MS.B.R.20- CANTIGA STA MARIA-F100-F- REY ALFONSO X CON CABALLEROS DE LA ORDEN DE LA ESTRELLA. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

LIBRO DE JUEGOS O LIBRO DEL AJEDREZ DADOS Y TABLAS - 1283 - FOLIO 2V - DETALLE - TRES SABIOS PRESENTANDO A UN REY PERSA UNOS JUEGOS - C. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.

Syria: The Siege of Damascus, 1148, as represented in a 13th century miniature

Horsemen Meeting an Abbot and Two Monks at a Monastery; 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.)

Allegorical show on stage at the end of the Steenweg, 1578, 1578 - 1579 Allegorical show on stage at the end of the Steenweg. Episode from the story of Scipio, 1578. Theater performance during the entry of Matthias in Brussels, January 18, 1578. Antwerp paper Brussels Allegorical show on stage at the end of the Steenweg. Episode from the story of Scipio, 1578. Theater performance during the entry of Matthias in Brussels, January 18, 1578. Antwerp paper Brussels

The Polo brothers leaving Costantinople, miniature from Livre des merveilles du monde (Book of the Wonders of the World) by Marco Polo and Rustichello, France 15th Century.

Christ before Pilate; Lieven van Lathem, Flemish, about 1430 - 1493, active 1454 - 1493; Ghent (written), Belgium, Europe; about 1471; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, silver paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 12.4 x 9.2 cm (4 7/8 x 3 5/8 in.)

Capture of Infante Fernando, Count of Flanders, in the battle of Bouvines (February 27th, 1214). Illustration on page 285 of Grandes Chroniques de France' (14th century). Gothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. MIDI-PYRƒNƒES. TARN. Castres. Bibliothque Municipale.

fol. 124r, 1390

MS.B.R.20- CANTIGA STA MARIA-F121V-E-ENJAMBRE DE TABANOS EN UNA IGLESIA-MINIATURA S XIII. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

MISAL DE SAN ILDEFONSO RECOPILA SU OBRA - ESCUELA CLUNIACENSE - SIGLO XI. Location: BIBLIOTECA PALATINA. Parma. ITALIA.

MS.B.R.20-CANTIGA STA MARIA-Nº258-F87-C-MUJERES HACIENDO PAN EN CASA-MINIATURA S XIII. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

MS.B.R.20- CANTIGA STA MARIA-F-EXORCISMO. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

Folio 106v, 1390

Soldado medieval. 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.

Frontispiece, miniature from the Book of Hours by Ferrante of Aragon, Italy Manuscript 15th Century. Detail.

Full-page miniature of David presenting Goliath's head to Saul.. 1445. Schlapperitzin, Konrad ca. um 1445. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division

Colored pen drawing from 1420-1430 depicting a victim scene, illustrating figures, gestures, and interaction in a historical context.

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist; Lieven van Lathem, Flemish, about 1430 - 1493, active 1454 - 1493; Ghent (written), Belgium, Europe; 1469; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, silver paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 12.4 x 9.2 cm (4 7/8 x 3 5/8 in.)

Illustration from the Golden Haggadah, 15th century. Artist: Unknown

Medieval society. Miniature from the 15th century depicting the life of the villagers. Conde Museum. Chantilly. France.

Colored woodcut depicting the crossing, created in the mid-15th century, showing figures, gestures, and composition.

Illustration from the Decretum Gratiani by Gratian, Ms.239. 12th. Museum: Biblioteca Capitular de Tortosa.

Libro de horas de Santa Clara, de Bernat Martorell. Rey David. Pintura sobre pergamino. Procede del convento de Santa Clara. Temple sobre vitela. C. 1430-1435. Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat de Barcelona.

Pedro Marcuello offers his "Cancionero" to Philip I of Castile (1478-1506), known as Philip the Handsome and Joanna of Castile (1479-1555), known as Joan the Mad, in 1502. The book was probably composed in four stages, between 1482 and 1502. Miniature.

Beato de Liébana / Toma de Jerusalén, Comentario al Apocalipsis de San Juan (Commentarium in Apocalypsin). Museum: Archivo Capitular, Girona.

Album n � 1. Stained glass project for Chateauneuf: Episode of the life of Saint Louis Gsell-Laurent workshop. Album n � 1. Stained glass project for Chateauneuf: episode of the life of Saint Louis. Pencil and watercolor.

Single initial cut from a 15th-century missal : in Latin ,. Medieval and Early Renaissance Manuscripts (Collection of Distinction)

David and Bathsheba: David slaying Goliath; Master of Cardinal Bourbon, French, about 1480 - 1500; Paris, France, Europe; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.)

Charles I of Burgundy (1433-1477), so-called "the Bold". Duke of Burgundy. Charles the Bold and his court. Chromolithography from a miniature of the "Chroniques abregees des Anciens Rois et Ducs de Bourgogne". "Vie Militaire et Religieuse au Moyen Age et a l'Epoque de la Renaissance". Paris, 1877.

fol. 138v, 1390

Fragment of a Bible, from the book of Job: Job in the midst of his children. Draughtsman: Jean de Montbaston (attributed to). Dating: c. 1330 - c. 1350. Place: Paris. Measurements: h 292 mm × w 95 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Jean Fouquet, Lapidation of Steven

Single Miniature Excised from Boccaccio's Des Cleres et nobles femmes: Queen Medusa and Her Court, c. 1470. Circle of Maître François (French). Tempera and gold on vellum; sheet: 13 x 9.1 cm (5 1/8 x 3 9/16 in.). This miniature comes from the French translation of a book by the Italian poet Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375). A compilation of biographies of famous women, Boccaccios work remained popular in France throughout the 1400s, especially with aristocratic bibliophiles, and was usually beautifully illustrated in the form of a deluxe manuscript. Shown here is the miniature introducing the chapter dealing with the legend of Queen Medusa. Surrounded by her courtiers, Medusa instructs the reader on the disadvantages of possessing wealth, which brings fear and superstition as well as loss of sleep, security, and peace of mind.

Apocalypse: page from the Apocalypse (The Locusts with the Angel of the Abyss and The Sixth Trumpet), 1400s. Anonymous. Woodcut (blockbook), hand colored with watercolor; mat size: 48.8 x 36.3 cm (19 3/16 x 14 5/16 in.); sheet: 26.5 x 19.3 cm (10 7/16 x 7 5/8 in.).

A family in front of a financier, miniature from Ethics, Politics, the Economy, by Aristotle, France 15th Century.

MINIATURA-GRIFFENE HIJO DE CARLOS MARTELLE. Author: ANTOINE VERARD. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France.

Transport of Charles VI Corps in Saint-Denis (IT)

Wolfram von Eschenbach (right) wrote love poetry in a courtly love fashion in German during the Middle Ages.

William The Conqueror, Granting Richmond shire To Alan Rufus, Count Of Brittany, In The Register Of The Honour Of Richmond. Illustrated manuscript using Ink and pigments on vellum. Dated 1480. At the Battle of Hastings in 1066 William the Conqueror was aided by Alan Rufus, Count of Brittany, and subsequently rewarded him with extensive estates in the north of England, which were formed into the honour of Richmond.

Louis XII of France Kneeling in Prayer, Accompanied by Saints Michael, Charlemagne, Louis, and Denis; Jean Bourdichon, French, 1457 - 1521, active Tours, France, early 1480s - 1521; 1498 - 1499; Tempera and gold on parchment; Leaf: 24.3 x 15.7 cm (9 9/16 x 6 3/16 in.)

John the Good being taken prisoner in Poitiers, miniature from Froissart's Chroniques, France 15th Century.

CHILPERIC I, c.539-584 Merovingian King of Soissons, and Queen Fredegund on horseback, folio 31R of 14th century French manuscript Great Chronicles of France, Northern School

The Flagellation. Culture: Italian. Dimensions: Overall: 10 1/2 x 16in. (26.7 x 40.6cm). Date: mid-14th century.This embroidered panel representing the Flagellation is a remarkable expression of the Florentine Gothic style. While the needlework has been attributed to the Florentine Geri Lapi, the designer has not been recognized.Cooperation between painters and embroiderers is evidenced in Cennino Cennini's fifteenth-century "Il Libro dell'arte": "You sometimes have to supply embroiderers with designs of various sorts...Get these masters to put cloth or fine silk on stretchers for you...If it is white cloth, take your regular charcoals, and draw whatever you please. Then take your pen and your pure ink, and reinforce it, just as you do on panel with a brush." In some worn areas, underdrawing of the type described by Cennini can be discerned. More than twenty shades of silk and metallic threads give richness to the design, and the gold background is enlivened with raised scrolling vin

The Last Supper. Dated: 1460/1480. Medium: metalcut, hand-colored in yellow, red-brown lake, and green. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: Workshop of Master of the Borders with the Four Fathers of the Church.

manuscrito iluminado, siglo XVII, Constantinopla, Fundación Calouste Gulbenkian, («Fundaçío Calouste Gulbenkian»), Lisboa, Portugal.

MINIATURA-PALADINO DE CARLOMAGNO EN CHASTEAUFERT. Author: ANTOINE VERARD. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France.

The speaker, miniature from Rhetorica ad herennium known as Cicero, manuscript, Italy 14th Century.

CORONACION DE EDUARDO III DE INGLATERRA 1312/1377. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France.

Scenes of daily life in France in the middle ages, 15th century; Illustration from Le livre des faiz Monseigneur Saint Louis, in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Boccacio mediates in a discussion, anonymous, c. 1470, The cases of noble men and women: Boccacio mediates in a discussion. Based on Bocciacio's 'Des cas des nobles hommes et femmes' (The fates of noble men and women)., draughtsman: anonymous, Giovanni Boccaccio, Loire, c. 1470, parchment (animal material), brush, h 105 mm × w 77 mm

Poem '"Le Roman de la Rose". 13th century. Miniature depicting the Abstinence, Courtesy, Fiction and Generosity before the castle where Belacueil is locked. Chateau de Chantilly. France.

MS.B.R.20- CANTIGA STA MARIA-Nº305-F43V-C-MUJER PIDIENDO LIMOSNA-MINIATURA S XIII. Author: Alfonso X of Castile. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL COLECCIÓN. Florenz. ITALIA.

Portrait of Francis I (1494-1547), King of France, in his Coronation Robes, Maître des Heures d'Henri II (active 1547-1566)

Terence (195-159 BC). Latin comic writer. Portrait of Terence at the title cover of his Comedies. Incunabula. Paris. 1505. University of Barcelona Library. Spain.

Henry VI (1165-1197) was the second son of Emperor Frederick I, and married the daughter of the late Norman king Roger II of Sicily, Constance of Sicily, in 1186. When his father died in 1190, he became King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor in 1191.

Miniature of skeletons accosting knights, large and small initials, linefiller, full border with grotesques.. 1401 - 1500. Religious books, Manuscripts. Manuscripts and Archives Division

Knight riding horse by Cristoforo Majorana, Watercolor on parchment, 1485-1499, active circa 1480-1494, Usa, California, The Huntington, 16,6x9,3

The Byzantine Emperor Welcoming Roussillon and Martel; Loyset Liédet, Flemish, active about 1448 - 1478, and Pol Fruit, Flemish, active about 1468; Written: Brussels, Belgium, Europe; written 1463 - 1465; illuminated 1467 - 1472; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 23.2 x 19.5 cm (9 1/8 x 7 11/16 in.)

LIBRO DE LOS CABALLEROS DE LA ORDEN DE SANTIAGO - 1361 - FOLIO 80 V - RUIZ VILLEGAS - RUIZ TORRE. Location: ARCHIVO MUNICIPAL. BURGOS. SPAIN. RUIZ DE VILLEGAS PERO. TORRE DE LA PEDRO. RUIZ DE LA TORRE PERO. VILLEGAS JERONIMO.

James II the Just (1267-1327). King of Aragon (1291-1327), Sicily (1286-1296) and Sardinia (1324-1327). The king at Corts de Barcelona (Barcelona's government). Llibre Verd de Barcelona ('Green Book of Barcelona'). Volume I. Book about 'Consell de Cent', the former institution governing Barcelona. Made by Ferrer Bassa and Arnau Bassa. Catalan-aragonese scho. Gothic art. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. CATALONIA. Barcelona. Archdeacon's House.

The Victor, 1891-1921. Artist: Fanny Bunn (d. 1950). A rectangular frame containing a panel painted in enamels. The panel uses strong opaque colours showing an equestrian knight in armour and three ladies on balcony with gilded details.

The Vintage of the Grapes of the Vine, from the Blockbook Apocalypse Printed 1465-1470 Germany. Blockbooks were hand-printed from wooden blocks with hand-carved text. This woodcut is the lower half of a page representing visions from the Book of Revelations. The upper half showed a grain harvest; this half demonstrates the production of wine. Both were highly symbolic substances for the sacrament of the Eucharist. This stencil-colored sheet is almost identical to other surviving impressions. Although part of a book, only one side was printed, due to high embossing created by the process. In this impression, an owner has used the verso as scrap paper, taking copious notes on Latin vocabulary starting with the letter c.. Hand-colored woodcut on cream laid paper .

Office of the Dead. Master of James IV of Scotland (Flemish, before 1465 - about 1541)

MTI1-CANTIGA DE SANTA MARIA Nº148-F204V-CABALLERO ESCAPA DE SUS ENEMIGOS GRACIAS A LA CAMISA DE LA VIRGEN-S XIII- 2ª VIÑETA DE LA 2ª FILA- - FOTO AÑO. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. ROLLUS.

Miniature from Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, painted by Jean Colombe (1430-1493); a French miniature painter and illuminator of manuscripts. Painted for Charles I of Savoy, shows the Christmas Mass in Charles's Chapel at Chambery. In the initial below is the Nativity, and in the floral decoration are the shepherds adoring. Dated 15th Century

fol. 302v, Bavaria, Germany, 1402

Miniature from Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, painted by Jean Colombe (1430-1493); a French miniature painter and illuminator of manuscripts. Painted for Charles I of Savoy, shows the Christmas Mass in Charles's Chapel at Chambery. In the initial below is the Nativity, and in the floral decoration are the shepherds adoring. Dated 15th Century

Llibre dels fet' o 'Crònica de Jaume I', primera de las cuatro grandes crónicas de la Corona de Aragón, siglo XIV. Museum: BIBLIOTECA UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA.

Miniature from the Latin translation of a medical work by Hippocrates, 13th century.

France, The siege of Paris, miniature, 1524, From Memoires by Philippe de Commynes (1445-1511)

Enemies are asking the King for access to the city, from De Civitate Dei (The City of God) by Augustine of Hippo, French incunabulum from the workshop of Abbeville, 1486-1487.

The Competition in Sittacene and the Placating of Sisigambis. Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century)

The Legend of Theodelinda, by Zavattari (brothers), 1430 - 1448, 15th Century, fresco. Italy. Lombardy. Monza Brianza. Monza. Cathedral. The Legend of Theodelinda of Theodelinda Offers Gifts to the Church. Scene 36. Red light blue/azure yellow

Cover for an account book by the Workshop of Paolo di Giovanni Fei (1345-1411) a painter of the Sienese school. Dated 14th Century

The Agony in the Garden. Vienna Master of Mary of Burgundy (Flemish, active about 1470 - about 1480)

Roger of Salerno 'Surgery'. 14th century manuscript. B.M., London

FERNANDO I Y DOÑA SANCHA RECIBIENDO DEL COPISTA PEDRO EL LIBRO DE HORAS ENCARGADO POR EL MONARCA-1055-MS R1-F 3 - MINIATURA DEL SIGLO XI. Author: FRUCTUOSO (S XI). Location: BIBLIOTECA UNIVERSIDAD. SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA. A CORUÑA. SPAIN.

COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS - S XI. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: CATEDRAL-BIBLIOTECA. BURGO DE OSMA. Soria. SPAIN.

fol. 202v. 1402. Rudolf, von Ems, -approximately 1254. text. Spencer Collection

Hand-to-hand fighting with swords in defence of a castle, 14th century. Artist: Unknown

Gautier 'Mort d'Arthur'. Sir Lancelot of the Lake, Search for the Holy Grail. A scene of courtly dalliance. 14th century manuscript. Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Solomon Writing; Malnazar (Armenian, active about 1630s), and Aghap'ir (Armenian, active about 1630s); Isfahan, Persia; 1637 - 1638; Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment; Leaf: 25.2 × 18.3 cm (9 15,16 × 7 3,16 in.)

The Nativity; Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop, Flemish, active about 1480 - 1515; Bruges, Belgium, Europe; about 1480 - 1485 ; Tempera colors and gold on parchment; Leaf: 20.5 x 14.8 cm (8 1/16 x 5 13/16 in.)

Vallo di Nera (Italia, Umbria, Valnerina - provincia di Perugia), chiesa di Santa Maria. Ciclo di affreschi del XIV-XV secolo. Cola di Pietro da Camerino, Compagnia dei Bianchi (1401, datato e firmato)

Full-page initial D of Psalm 26, showing scenes from 1 Samuel 20. Miniatures, illuminated title. 1310. text. Manuscripts, Illuminations, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. David, King of Israel, Initials

LIBRO DE LOS CABALLEROS DE LA ORDEN DE SANTIAGO - 1361 - FOLIO 77 V - SAN BITTORES - MIRANDA - LERMA. Location: ARCHIVO MUNICIPAL. BURGOS. SPAIN. LERMA JUAN. SAN BITTORES FRANCISCO. MIRANDA JUAN EL JOVEN. LERMA GREGORIO.

LIBRO DE HORAS DE ISABEL LA CATOLICA - SIGLO XV - 21,7x14 cm. Location: BIBLIOTECA COLOMBINA. Sevilla. Seville. SPAIN.

Armenian illuminated manuscript , 17th century, Constantinople, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, ("Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian"), Lisbon, Portugal.

Manessian Relief Handwrite, Faksimile Edition

fine arts, middle ages, Gothic, illumination, Codex Manesse, Zurich, 1305 - 1340, Duke Henry of Breslau (1253 - 1290), covering colour on vellum, University of Heidelberg Library,

HªMATRITENSIS-CRONICA BIZANTINA F 68 V-BAUSTISMO DEL REY BORIS. Author: SKYLITZES JOHN O SCYLITZA IOANNES. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Ludwig of Ulm (German, active 1450-1470), The Flagellation, hand-colored woodcut (blockbook page)

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.

Sentencing to the Pillory, miniature from De universo by Rabano Mauro, manuscript, 1023 Italy.

Gerard and Bertha Find Sustenance at a Hermitage; Loyset Liédet (Flemish, active about 1448 - 1478), and Pol Fruit (Flemish, active about 1468); Illuminated: Bruges, Belgium; written 1463 - 1465; illuminated 1467 - 1472; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint on parchment; Leaf: 22.7 x 18.4 cm (8 15,16 x 7 1,4 in.)

Various French costumes, 12th and 13th centuries. Knight, noblemen and women, lovers, hunters, merchants, labourers, peasants, maids and servants. After manuscripts and stained-glass windows. Costumes divers 1, France, XIIe et XIIIe siecles. Chromolithograph by A. Achintre after Ferdinand Sere from Charles Louandres Les Arts Somptuaires, The Sumptuary Arts, Hangard-Mauge, Paris, 1858.

ATAULFO. Rey visigodo (izquierda) (410-415). Sucesor de Alarico I. Asentó a su pueblo en una de las provincias de las Galias. Ataulfo, casado con Gala Placidia (414), estableció su corte en Barcelona, donde fue asesinado por un miembro de su séquito. Miniatura del manuscrito "Semblanzas de Reyes. Biblioteca Nacional de Madrid. España.

Colored copper engraving by the Master of the Berlin Passion depicting Ambrosius, dated 1450-1470.

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