On the history of Illuminated Manuscripts and their Facsimiles
Vergilius Vaticanus: A Rare Survival From the Dawn of the Literary Codex
Made in Rome in the decades after 400, the Vergilius Vaticanus, an illustrated collection of Vergil's main works, was so influential in Western art that it served as a model in the artistic circle of Raphael.
Godescalc Evangelistary Facsimile Edition: from the Scriptorium of Charlemagne to Libraries Worldwide
One of the most important manuscript commissioned by Charlemagne to celebrate his Empire, the Godescalc Evangelistary is available in a special library facsimile edition.
Fighting a Pandemic with Stories, in 14th-century Italy
Seven hundred years ago during the Black Plague, one of the fathers of European literature taught the world a unique way to survive during a lockdown: telling each other humorous and extravagant stories. The work soon became acclaimed and inspired a magnificent French manuscript.
A Vibrant, Bilingual Apocalypse From Late Medieval London
The Parker Library at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge holds a treasure of the English Gothic style, made in medieval London and shimmering with tooled gold and kaleidoscopic colors.
Lindisfarne Gospels: a 13-century-old Masterpiece
Dear fellow book lovers, why don't you "Take a Break from the Present" and watch us leaf through illuminated manuscripts from past centuries? Let's start with the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the series' highlights. If you want to know more about this manuscript, read on!
Just Announced: A Jewel of Romanesque Illumination, Now Available in Facsimile
The Brandenburger Evangeliary, the most cherished treasure in the Brandenburg Cathedral archive, has been protected from damage for the last eight hundred years. A new facsimile edition by Quaternio Verlag Luzern allows art enthusiasts to finally enjoy its splendor.
What if God was an Architect? Unveiling a New Facsimile of the Bible Moralisée
Over one thousand illuminated medallions evocative of stained glass, golden decorations spanning 130 folios, and a dazzling image of God designing the universe with a compass. Imago publishing house reproduced all this and much more in its 2020 facsimile edition of the Bible Moralisée.
Seven Reasons to Fall for Japanese Illustrated Scrolls
Innumerable facial expressions, the birth of manga, sparkles of silver and gold, ancient magical legends…There are thousands of reasons to love the picture scrolls made in the land of the rising sun. Here are ours.
Picturing the End of Time: The Illustrated Commentaries on the Apocalypse from Medieval Spain
Illustrated manuscripts based on Beatus of Liébana's commentary on the Apocalypse offer a unique window into a time when the fragility of life focused the minds of monks and men on not only the immediate afterlife but also on the time beyond time.
The Mysteries Surrounding an Early Christian Papyrus
In 1952, a millennia-old papyrus containing the Epistles of St. Peter was discovered in Egypt. We know that it was written in Greek by several hands, but many more questions remain unanswered.
Unfolding a Gold-Embroidered Binding — The Royal Psalter of Sainte Chapelle
The floral silk fabric that once protected the Psalter of Blanche of Castile is among the three surviving medieval embroidered bindings in France. When I saw it for the first time, I couldn’t believe someone could ever produce something so detailed.
A “Pop Bible” for a Lay Audience
You don't need to understand Anglo-French biblical verses to read this bible: written and illuminated in the 14th century, the codex features dozens of powerful illustrations.
The Luttrell Psalter: A Treasure of Medieval Imagination
Stilt walkers, acrobats, human-animal hybrids... This is not a fantasy novel: it is a world-famous Late Medieval manuscript made in Lincolnshire, England.
Fabled Manuscripts
It is hard to tell who Aesop really was, but hundreds of generations have read his Fables. And in 15th-century Italy, a group of prominent painters illustrated many of his tales in a lavish manuscript.
Feasting Around the Table in Centuries Past
Did you know that ancient cooking manuals contained humor and parody? Or why Dante called one of his poems "The Banquet"? Take a peek in the kitchens and dining rooms of bygone centuries!