On the history of Illuminated Manuscripts and their Facsimiles

Offiziolo by Francesco da Barberino – A Recovered Treasure
Francesco's Offiziolo is one of the earliest evidence of the fortune of Dante's Divina Commedia in that it refers to the work at its early stages when it was still being written. Want to know more? Read on!

Van Damme Hours – One of Simon Bening’s Masterpieces
Want to know a bit more about Simon Bening, one of the greatest Flemish illuminators of all time? Why not take a few minutes to read about his pictorial technique?

Simon Bening and His Charming Calendars
Never cared much for calendars? Simon Bening's works of art are about to change your mind.

From Martyrs to Saints: The Stories of the Vita Kiliani
What does a bishop died in 689 have to do with a fourth-century woman died a virgin? The stories of Saint Kilian and Saint Margaret told in the Vita Kiliani might have more in common than you imagine. Read about it and see if you can find out!

The Magnificent and Exuberant Illuminations of the St Albans Psalter
If you were to teach reading and writing to your kids in the 12th century, you would probably use a Psalter. But would you choose one as magnificently illuminated as the St Albans Psalter? Scroll down for the video!

New Video: Divine Comedy “Dante Urbinate” Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like the Divine Comedy "Dante Urbinate" in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?

Vergilius Romanus: Among the Best-Preserved Late-Antique Codices
If you're curious to witness the transition from scroll to book, or to find out which features of Medieval illumination were already used in Late Antiquity, you shouldn't miss the Vergilius Romanus.

How to Access a Library During a Pandemic
Do you miss traveling and visiting museums? Don’t worry, the Gallerie Estensi in Modena didn’t forget about its international visitors and officially launched a “Digital Library” to make its manuscripts available for everyone! (Guest post by Bianca Raimondi, who did her internship at FacsimileFinder in the summer of 2020)

New Video: The Isabella Breviary Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like The Isabella Breviary in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?

New Video: Biblia Pauperum: Apocalypsis: The Weimar Manuscript Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like the Biblia Pauperum: Apocalypsis: The Weimar Manuscript in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?

New Video: Codex of Vyšehrad Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like the Codex of Vyšehrad in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?

Facsimiles as Exhibition Items: Why Not?
A few months ago, we were asked to lend two facsimiles to be displayed at a French exhibition on the Apocalypse. Today, we're happy that many visitors can enjoy their beauty at the Château d'Angers. Thank you for the opportunity to share them!

New Video: Book of Hours of Philip II Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like the Book of Hours of Philip II in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?

New Video: Les Très Riches Heures of the Duke of Berry Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like the Les Très Riches Heures of the Duke of Berry in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?

New Video: Alfonso X The Wise’s Book of Chess, Dice and Board Games Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like Alfonso X The Wise's Book of Chess, Dice and Board Games in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?