Manuscript Illumination Collection

DANTE: DIVINE COMEDY. Frontispiece of Dantes Divine Comedy, showing Dante (in a red robe) being led by Virgil (in a blue robe) through the agonies of hell. Italian manuscript illumnination

BATTLE OF AGINCOURT, 1415. Battle between the French and English at Agincourt, France, 1415, with archers in the front and cavalry massed behind them

BATTLE OF CRECY, 1346. The Battle of Crecy, 26 August 1346. Detail from Chroniques de Froissart, 14th century manuscript

The Book of the Dead of Hunefer, ca 1450 BC. Found in the collection of British Museum

PORTRAIT OF SAINT MATTHEW. Book of Lindisfarne Gospels. Written and illuminated about 700 A.D. probably in the monastry on Lindisfarne or Holy Island off the Northumberland coast

BOOK OF LINDISFARNE. The beginning of the Gospel of St. John, before 698 AD?

FIRST CRUSADE, 1099. European knights capture Jerusalem in this fanciful manuscript illumination of the early 14th century; Christ watches over the scene

KING DAVID PLAYING HARP. Miniature illumination, France, late 13th century

CANTERBURY TALES. The beginning of the prologue to Chaucers Canterbury Tales. A 15th century manuscript page

The grape harvest at the Chateau de Saumur (Loire Valley, France) in September
BOOK OF HOURS: SEPTEMBER. The grape harvest at the Chateau de Saumur (Loire Valley, France) in September. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry

MANUSCRIPT ILLUMINATION. God as the great Architect of the Universe. Illumination from the 13th century French Bible

GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT. Sir Gawain beheading the Green Knight. Manuscript illumination from Gawain and the Green Knight, English, 14th century

FALL OF REBEL ANGELS. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry
FALL OF REBEL ANGELS. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the " Tres Riches Heures" of Jean, Duke of Berry

DANCING DERVISHES, 1490. Persian Timurid manuscript illumination, 1490

TEMPTATION OF SIR GAWAIN. The temptation of Sir Gawain by Lady Bercilak. Manuscript illumination from Gawain and the Green Knight, English, 14th century

ADORATION OF MAGI. Late 12th century or early 13th century French manuscript illumination

Jean, Duke of Berry, exchanging gifts and feasting with his family and friends in January
BOOK OF HOURS: JANUARY. Jean, Duke of Berry, exchanging gifts and feasting with his family and friends in January. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean

Keeping warm by a farm fireside in February. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures
BOOK OF HOURS: FEBRUARY. Keeping warm by a farm fireside in February. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures, of Jean, Duke of Berry

KNIGHTS IN TOURNAMENT. Knights on horseback in a ring at a medieval tournament, one of whom (left) is being presented with a trophy. French manuscript illumination, 15th century

MAP OF THE WORLD, c1060. Map of the world, centering on Jerusalem. Spanish manuscript illumination, c1060, from the work of Beatus of Liebana (c730-c800)

THE NATIVITY. Illumination from a French Book of Hours, c1430-35

SAINT MATTHEW. Illumination from an Austrian Gospel, mid-13th century

Detail of an illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures, of Jean, Duke of Berry
BOOK OF HOURS: FEBRUARY. Detail of an illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures, of Jean, Duke of Berry

SAINT MATTHEW. Writing his gospel at the dictation of an angel. Manuscript illumination, c816-835, from from the Ebbo Gospels, produced at the Benedictine abbey of Hautvillers, near Rheims, France

Kay Khusraw Welcomed by his Grandfather, Kay Kaus, King of Iran (Manuscript illumination from the ep Artist)
Kay Khusraw Welcomed by his Grandfather, Kay Kaus, King of Iran (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi). Found in the collection of The David Collection

Majnun in the Desert, 1431. Artist: Iranian master
Majnun in the Desert, 1431. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Folio from Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami, 1539-1543. Artist: Anonymous
Folio from Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami, 1539-1543. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

The prophet Elijah rescuing Prince Nur ad-Dahr (From the Hamzanama), 1562-1577. Artist: Mir Sayyid Ali (c)
The prophet Elijah rescuing Prince Nur ad-Dahr (From the Hamzanama), 1562-1577. From a private collection

FRANCE: CLUNY, 1095. Left: While on his way to Clermont, France, to proclaim the First Crusade in 1095, Pope Urban II, surrounded by cardinals, consecrates the convent Church of Cluny

SAINT MARK. Manuscript illumination from a Greek Gospel Lectionary, late 11th century

NOAHs DRUNKENESS (Genesis 9: 20-23). French manuscript illumination, c1250

CODEX AMIATINUS: EZRA. Ezra the scribe writing in a large codex held on his knees. Illumination from the Codex Amiatinus, Northumbria, early 8th century

Nasta liq Calligraphy, First Half of 16th cen Creator: Mir Ali Haravi (Heravi)
Nasta liq Calligraphy, First Half of 16th Century. Found in the Collection of Musee du Louvre, Paris

BATTLE OF NORMANDY, 1429. Scottish knights (at right) fighting the English at the Battle of Normandy, 1429

THE NATIVITY. Illumination from a Flemish Book of Hours, late 15th century

A betrothed couple exchanging rings in April: illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures
BOOK OF HOURS: APRIL. A betrothed couple exchanging rings in April: illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry

Plowing with oxen and pruning vines in March. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures
BOOK OF HOURS: MARCH. Plowing with oxen and pruning vines in March. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the " Tres Riches Heures" of Jean, Duke of Berry

The Entry into Jerusalem (right-hand page). Addis Ababa manuscript. Ethiopia. Before 1350
ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. The Entry into Jerusalem (right-hand page). Addis Ababa manuscript. Ethiopia. Before 1350

KNIGHT. The minnesinger Wachsmut von Kunzingen, in an illumination for the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder ms

BLAKE: JERUSALEM, 1804. Awake Awake Jerusalem : watercolor from William Blakes illuminated book Jerusalem

GRAPEVINE, 1229. A grapevine from an Arabic manuscript of Dioscorides De Materia Medica, northern Iraq or Syria, 1229

ADORATION OF MAGI. Illumination from a Flemish Book of Hours, late 15th century

SCENES FROM GENESIS. Creation, Birth of Eve, Fall, and Expulsion: illuminations from an English Psalter

TURKISH ASTRONOMERS. Astronomers in the Istanbul observatory. Ottoman manuscript illumination, late 16th century

ROMANCE OF THE ROSE. Love Speaks to the Lover. Manuscript illumination, French, 1487-1495

ARAB EYE TREATISE. Page from a 13th century Arabic manuscript of Hunayns Treatise on the Eye

The Battle of Caen in 1346 (Miniature from the Grandes Chroniques de France by Jean Froissart), ca 1475. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

Francois Leclerc du Tremblay (1577-1638), 1704
Franc ois Leclerc du Tremblay (1577-1638), 1704. Found in the Collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

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"Manuscript Illumination: A Glimpse into the Artistry of the Ages" Step back in time and explore the captivating world of manuscript illumination, where intricate illustrations breathe life into ancient texts. From epic tales to religious scriptures, these illuminated masterpieces offer a visual feast for the eyes, transporting us to different eras and cultures. In Dante's Divine Comedy frontispiece, we witness the poet himself immersed in his visionary journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. The Battle of Agincourt unfolds before our eyes as archers take their stance against cavalry in a French manuscript from the 15th century. The Lindisfarne Gospels reveal Saint Matthew's portrait with meticulous detail dating back to 700 AD. Turning its pages further reveals St. John's Gospel beginning before 698 AD - a testament to enduring craftsmanship. Traveling across France's Loire Valley, we stumble upon an enchanting grape harvest at Chateau de Saumur depicted in Jean Duke of Berry's Tres Riches Heures manuscript from the 15th century. This vibrant scene captures both nature's bounty and human labor intertwined harmoniously. Delving deeper into history, a 13th-century French Bible presents God as the great Architect of the Universe through breathtaking illumination. Each stroke conveys divine majesty while inviting contemplation on humanity's place within creation. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales beckon us with their prologue adorned by delicate artistry that sets the stage for storytelling brilliance. Meanwhile, The Book of Dead takes us back over three millennia ago to Ancient Egypt when Hunefer sought guidance for his afterlife journey. King David serenades us with his harp in a miniature illumination from late 13th-century France – an ode to music’s timeless power transcending centuries. Sir Gawain faces temptation by Lady Bercilak while beheading the Green Knight in another mesmerizing manuscript, showcasing the allure of Arthurian legends.