Dark Ages Collection (#5)

CODEX ALEXANDRINUS. Portion of the New Testament written on vellum in Greek, 5th century

JOHN VII d. 707. Pope, 705-707. Contemporary mosaic in the Grotte Vaticane

LINDISFARNE GOSPELS. Matthew, chapter i. verse 1, written and illuminated about A.D. 700, probably in the monastery on Lindisfarne or Holy Island off the Northumberland coast of Britain

SAINT BONIFACE (c675-755). English Benedictine missionary. St. Boniface preaching in Germany. Wood engraving, 19th century

LEO VI d. 928. Pope, 928. Woodcut, Venetian, 1592

JOHN XIII, d. 972. Pope, 965-972. Woodcut, Venetian, 1592

JOHN XIII (938-964). Pope, 955-964. Woodcut, Venetian, 1592

JOHN X (860-928). Pope, 914-928. Woodcut, Venetian, 1592

STEPHEN II (d. 757). Pope, 752-757. Woodcut, Italian, 1592

INITIAL A : SAINT GREGORY. Initial A with Saint Gregory (Pope Gregory I). Manuscript illumination from an Austrian missal, c1260

RAVENNA: SACRED FIELDS. The Sacred Fields: detail of mosaic from basilica Saint Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna, Italy, 6th century

ST. JOHN LATERAN. Mosaic from the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome Italy, 7th century

ST. DUNSTAN (924-988). English prelate. St. Dunstan as archbishop of Canterbury (959-988). Drawing after a manuscript illumination

INCIPIT OF MARK, c860. From a northern French Gospel manuscript, c860

POPE GREGORY II (d. 731). Saint and Pope, 715-731. Woodcut, Italian, 1592

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW. Beginning of the Book of Matthew, from an English Gospel, late 10th century

VISION OF THRONE OF GOD. Saint John and seven churches of Asia: Spanish manuscript illumination, c950

ST. BENEDICT OF NURSIA (c480-c543). Italian religious. St. Benedict handing the Rule, regulations governing monastic life and discipline, to a group of monks

APOCALYPSE. Resurrection of witnesses; earthquake (Rev. 11: 11-14): Spanish manuscript illumination, c950 A.D

SAINT EDMUND. St. Edmund, King of East Anglia, 855-570, captured by Danes: English manuscript illumination, c1130

APOCALYPSE. Babylon in flames. Spanish manuscript illumination, c950, from Commentary on the Apocalypse by Beatus of Liebana

THE LION OF SAINT MARK: mid-6th century mosaic from Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

BYZANTINE EMPIRE: SAINT LUKE writing on a scroll (left) and in a book: Byzantine manuscript illuminations, mid-10th century

PORTRAIT OF ST. JOHN. Book of Lindisfarne Gospels. Written and illuminated about 700 A.D. probably in the monastry on Lindisfarne or Holy Island off the Northumberland coast. Portrait of Saint John

BOOK OF DURROW. Beginning of Gospel of St. Mark. Hiberno-Saxon manuscript, c680 A. D
BOOK OF DURROW. Beginning of Gospel of St. Mark. Hiberno-Saxon manuscript, c680 A.D

ILLUMINATION: ST. LUKE. Manuscript illumination from Gospels of Otto III, late 10th century

EARLY CHRISTIAN MOSAIC. Leopard. Mosaic from the pavement of the synagogue of Ma on, Nirim, Israel. Late 6th century AD

PISTIS SOPHIA, 5th CENTURY. A page of Pistis Sophia, a treatise expounding the doctrines of the Gnostic teacher Valentinus

CODEX ARGENTEUS, c500 A. D. A page of the Gospel according to Mark (VII: 3-7)
CODEX ARGENTEUS, c500 A.D. A page of the Gospel according to Mark (VII: 3-7) from the parchment ms. Codex Argenteus, based on the Gothic translation of the Bible from the Greek by Ulfilas

LATIN BIBLE MANUSCRIPT. One of the eleven remaining leaves of a manuscript of a Latin Bible written for Ceolfrid, Abbot of the sister monastries of Jarrow and Wearmouth in Northumberland, England

BOTANY: MANDRAKE, 700 A. D. From the Codex Neapolitanus
BOTANY: MANDRAKE, 700 A.D. From the Codex Neapolitanus

BOTANY: HERBAL PLANTS. Ladys bedstraw (left), cranesbill (center), and geranium (right). Painting from a 7th century Greek manuscript of Pedanius Dioscorides De Materia Medica

KING ROBERT II OF FRANCE. (970?-1031). King of France, 996-1031, with Pope Gregory V. French manuscript illumination, 15th century

POPE SYLVESTER II (c945-1003). Woodcut, Venice, Italy, 1592

THEODORA (c508-548). Byzantine empress (525-548) as the wife and adviser of Justinian I. Theodora and her Court. Mid-6th century Byzantine mosaic from San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

VLADIMIR I: ENVOYS. Envoys of Vladimir I of Kievan Rus (c956-1015) visiting Emperor Constantine VIII at Constantinople. Illumination from the Skylitzes Codex, 13th-14th centuries

WITTEKIND (d. c807). Westphalian chieftain. Charlemagne (right) at Wittekinds baptism, 785. Photogravure after Paul Thumann, late 19th century

SAINT PATRICK (389-461). Patron Saint of Ireland. Woodcut

OTTO III (980-1002). Holy Roman Emperor (983-1002) enthroned and flanked by ecclesiastical and civil dignitaries. Late 10th century manuscript illumination

MEDIEVAL MUSIC MANUSCRIPT. Page from 10th century manuscript, Hodie cantandus, by Tutilo

KALIDASA (5th CENTURY). Hindu dramatist and poet. The Princess Shakuntala, heroine of Kalidasas greatest drama. Indo-Persian miniature, 18th century

LOTHAIR I (795?-855). Holy Roman Emperor. Carolingian manuscript illumination, c850

JUSTINIAN I (483-565). Emperor of the Byzentine Empire, 527-565. Detail from mid-6th century mosaic in presbytery of San Vitale, Ravenna

HENRY I (876-936). Called Henry the Fowler. First Saxon king of Germany, 919-936. Woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493

HUGH CAPET (c938-996). King of France (987-996). Hugh Capet in majesty. French manuscript illumination, early 14th century

HERACLIUS (c575-641). Byzantine emperor, 610-41. Returning the True Cross to Jerusalem. Flemish manuscript illumination, c1460

POPE GREGORY I (c540-604). Known as Gregory the Great. Pope, 590-604. Gregory inspired by the Holy Spirit while dictating to two scribes. Carolingian miniature, c870, from the Sacramentary of Metz

FORTUNATUS (530?-?610). Italian poet. Miniature from 12th century Vie de Sainte Radegonde

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The Dark Ages, a period shrouded in mystery and obscurity, marked a time of significant cultural and intellectual decline. As we delve into the depths of history, we encounter captivating artifacts that shed light on this enigmatic era. One such artifact is the Portrait of Saint Matthew from the Book of Lindisfarne Gospels. Created around 700 AD, this illuminated manuscript showcases intricate artwork that exemplifies the artistic prowess prevalent during these times. Its vibrant colors and meticulous details transport us back to an age where beauty thrived amidst chaos. Another glimpse into They are be found in The beginning of the Gospel of St. John within the Book of Lindisfarne. This masterpiece predates 698 AD and serves as a testament to early Christian devotion and scholarship. Its pages hold stories waiting to be unraveled by those who dare explore its ancient wisdom. In our quest for understanding, we stumble upon an intriguing piece known as Universe Timeline Artwork – a visual representation capturing cosmic events throughout history. From celestial bodies colliding to stars being born, this artwork reminds us that even during tumultuous times on Earth, wonders unfold beyond our comprehension. As we journey further through time, we come across The Evangelical Symbols dating back to 800 AD - symbols representing four evangelists: Matthew (the man), Mark (the lion), Luke (the ox), and John (the eagle). These icons serve as reminders that faith endured even in periods characterized by darkness. Amidst political turmoil stood Frederick I Barbarossa Holy Roman Emperor - his reign symbolizing both power struggles and attempts at unification within Europe's fragmented kingdoms. His legacy echoes through centuries as he sought stability amidst chaos. Turning our attention towards Ireland's rich heritage comes the iconic Book of Kells: Saltire with Evangelist Symbols from c800 AD - a testament to Hiberno-Saxon craftsmanship blending Celtic artistry with Christian symbolism.