Illumination Manuscript Collection

The book of Kalila wa Dimna, miniature, 14th century
AIS5389814 The book of Kalila wa Dimna, miniature, 14th century; Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich, Germany; (add.info)

Battle between Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan and Sultan of Khwarezm, 14th century (manuscript)
BEN5464427 Battle between Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan and Sultan of Khwarezm, 14th century (manuscript); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Byzantine emperor Theophilus defensor of iconoclasm has the saint monk Lazarus (above)
AIS5349608 Byzantine emperor Theophilus defensor of iconoclasm has the saint monk Lazarus (above), an icon painter in Constantinople arrested, 14th century (miniature); Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid

Arrival of Charles VII in the Bastille in 1418
3480291 Arrival of Charles VII in the Bastille in 1418; (add.info.: Arrival of Charles VII in the Bastille in 1418. The taking of Paris, par Martial d'Auvergne, The taking of Paris)

Avicenna (Ibn Sina, 980-1037), detail from a page in "Canon of Medicine" (illuminated manuscript)
AIS5363869 Avicenna (Ibn Sina, 980-1037), detail from a page in "Canon of Medicine" (illuminated manuscript); Biblioteca Estense, Modena, Emilia-Romagna

A peasant cultivating the vine, miniature from the manuscript "De Universo" or "De rerum naturis"
AIS5378742 A peasant cultivating the vine, miniature from the manuscript "De Universo" or "De rerum naturis" (On the Nature of Things), cod. 132, by Rabanus Maurus Magnentius (c)

Diagram of body showing mucles, page from manuscript "Treatise on the human body", Ms.399 (fol)
AIS5354721 Diagram of body showing mucles, page from manuscript "Treatise on the human body", Ms.399 (fol. 22r.), Bodleian Library, Oxford, c

The Christ child, on Mary's lap, receiving the offerings of the Magi, miniature in the Missal of Sant Cugat del
AIS5384765 The Christ child, on Mary's lap, receiving the offerings of the Magi, miniature in the Missal of Sant Cugat del Valles

Miniature representing Pope Clement V, born Bertrand de Got (1264-1314). Manuscript page Clemens PP
BEN5472554 Miniature representing Pope Clement V, born Bertrand de Got (1264-1314). Manuscript page Clemens PP. V Costitutiones, cum apparatu Joannis Andreae'. Ref: MS Lat.A, 186 (1603) f.2 R°

The Baptism of Christ, 14th century (watercolour on parchment)
FIA5634071 The Baptism of Christ, 14th century (watercolour on parchment); Matenadaran, Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, Yerevan, Armenia; (add.info.: The Baptism of Christ)

Romanos and Virgin Mary (print)
5322549 Romanos and Virgin Mary (print) by English School, (19th century); (add.info.: Romanos and Virgin Mary, after a miniature from the Menologion of Basil II)

Representation of Krishna's life, Miniature taken from a manuscript of the Bhagavatapurana
AIS5361701 Representation of Krishna's life, Miniature taken from a manuscript of the Bhagavatapurana, 1793 (illuminated manuscript); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Council of Hispanic Bishops, miniature from the "Glosas Emilianenses", 992-994 (illuminated miniature)
AIS5343435 Council of Hispanic Bishops, miniature from the "Glosas Emilianenses", 992-994 (illuminated miniature); Biblioteca Monasterio del Escorial, Madrid

The Triumph of Love, from "Triumphs, sonnets and songs" by Petrarch (Francesco Petrarca)
AIS5351945 The Triumph of Love, from "Triumphs, sonnets and songs" by Petrarch (Francesco Petrarca, 1304-1374) (miniature); Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid, Spain; © Iberfoto

Saint Augustine, from "De Civitate Dei" by Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430) (Ms. Plut. 12.17 c)
DEX5040745 Saint Augustine, from "De Civitate Dei" by Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430) (Ms. Plut. 12.17 c. 3v), 12th century (miniature); Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, Florence

Miniature representing Pope Gregory IX, born Ugolino di Conti (1145-1241)
BEN5472506 Miniature representing Pope Gregory IX, born Ugolino di Conti (1145-1241). Manuscript page Gregorius PP IX Decretalium libri Quinque, Cum Glosis, Book III

Letter with portrait of Juan (Jean) Fernandez de Heredia, 1385 (illumination)
AIS5368727 Letter with portrait of Juan (Jean) Fernandez de Heredia, 1385 (illumination); National Library of Spain, Madrid

The production of honey page from "treaty on herbs" by Dioscorides, 15th century (miniature)
XIR189539 The production of honey page from "treaty on herbs" by Dioscorides, 15th century (miniature); Biblioteca Estense, Modena, Emilia-Romagna

Miniature of a monk writing, 14th century
AIS5390345 Miniature of a monk writing, 14th century; Bibliotheque Municipale, Besancon, France; (add.info.: Monk writing)

pepper harvest in south of India, 15th century (illumination)
1744356 pepper harvest in south of India, 15th century (illumination); (add.info.: pepper harvest in south of India, illustration from Book of Marvels of Marco Polo 15th century); Photo: Tallandier

The Interview of Richard II and the Duke of Gloucester in Pleshy Castle, c.1337 (illumination)
3780911 The Interview of Richard II and the Duke of Gloucester in Pleshy Castle, c.1337 (illumination) by Froissart, Jean (c.1337-1405); (add.info)

Christ walking on the waves, Italian, mid 14th century (parchment)
CCC95520 Christ walking on the waves, Italian, mid 14th century (parchment); Corpus Christi College, Oxford, UK; (add.info)

Raising of Lazarus and the Entry into Jerusalem, illustration of the religious discourses written by St
BCC69940 Raising of Lazarus and the Entry into Jerusalem, illustration of the religious discourses written by St. Gregory Nazianzus (c.330-c.389) (vellum); 41x30.5 cm; Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Pythagoras (c. 570-around 480 BC), Greek mathematician and philosopher. Detail of a page of a manuscript representing
BEN5464408 Pythagoras (c. 570-around 480 BC), Greek mathematician and philosopher. Detail of a page of a manuscript representing the allegories of arithmetic and geometry

St. Matthew, Anglo-Saxon miniature
PT23650 St. Matthew, Anglo-Saxon miniature; Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna, Austria

The Crucifixion, miniature by the so-called Johannes associate of the Hermann Schere Workshop, 1398 (parchment)
CCC95536 The Crucifixion, miniature by the so-called Johannes associate of the Hermann Schere Workshop, 1398 (parchment); 44.5x27.5 cm; Corpus Christi College, Oxford

Episode of Virgil's Aeneid (70-19 BC): representation of Aeneas and Dido. Dido tries to hold Aeneas back
BEN5469790 Episode of Virgil's Aeneid (70-19 BC): representation of Aeneas and Dido. Dido tries to hold Aeneas back. Dido caught in despair will commit suicide

The production of honey page from "treaty on herbs" by Dioscorides, 15th century (miniature)
XOT361216 The production of honey page from "treaty on herbs" by Dioscorides, 15th century (miniature); Biblioteca Estense, Modena, Emilia-Romagna

Letter O with Portrait of Averroes (1126 - 1198) Arab philosopher and doctor. 14th century miniature
BEN5464109 Letter O with Portrait of Averroes (1126 - 1198) Arab philosopher and doctor. 14th century miniature. Biblioteca Malatestiana. Cesena

the Yellow River and city of Ho-Tchou-Fou, 15th century (illumination)
1744355 the Yellow River and city of Ho-Tchou-Fou, 15th century (illumination); (add.info.: the Yellow River and city of Ho-Tchou-Fou)

Departure of the Polo brothers, with Marco in 1271, , c. 1410-1412 (illumination)
XEE5027532 Departure of the Polo brothers, with Marco in 1271, , c. 1410-1412 (illumination); (add.info.: Departure of the Polo brothers, with Marco in 1271, from Venice)

Koubilai Khan hunting with falcon and leopard, 15th century (illumination)
1744064 Koubilai Khan hunting with falcon and leopard, 15th century (illumination); (add.info.: Koubilai Khan hunting with falcon and leopard)

MS.254.f33r A Whale with a Sailor Hammering a Stake into its Head, detail from an English Bestiary
FIT111725 MS.254.f33r A Whale with a Sailor Hammering a Stake into its Head, detail from an English Bestiary, early 13th century (vellum) by English School

The Trinity, c.1464 (w/c & ink)
8678078 The Trinity, c.1464 (w/c & ink) by German School, (15th century); J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA; (add.info.: Place Created : Ulm, Germany; Augsburg, Germany)

The English Besieging La Rochelle, 1480-83 (tempera colours, gold leaf, gold paint & ink)
8677936 The English Besieging La Rochelle, 1480-83 (tempera colours, gold leaf, gold paint & ink) by Master of the Getty Froissart (active c.1475-85); J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA

Hunters Pursuing a Deer, c.1430-40 (tempera colours, gold paint, silver paint & gold leaf)
8678061 Hunters Pursuing a Deer, c.1430-40 (tempera colours, gold paint, silver paint & gold leaf) by French School, (15th century); J

Saint Mark, c.1410 ( tempera colours, gold leaf, gold paint & ink)
8677958 Saint Mark, c.1410 ( tempera colours, gold leaf, gold paint & ink) by Master of Egerton, (active 1405-20); J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

David and Goliath, c.1480-85 (tempera colours & gold)
8677957 David and Goliath, c.1480-85 (tempera colours & gold) by Master of the Dresden Prayer Books (fl.c.1460-1520); J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Leaf Excised from a Book of Hours: The Nativity, c. 1480 (ink, tempera and liquid gold on vellum)
XOS5884589 Leaf Excised from a Book of Hours: The Nativity, c. 1480 (ink, tempera and liquid gold on vellum) by Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximillian (c.1444-1519)

Saint George and the Dragon, c.1471 ( tempera colours, gold leaf, gold & silver paint and ink)
8677952 Saint George and the Dragon, c.1471 ( tempera colours, gold leaf, gold & silver paint and ink) by Lathem, Lieven van (c.1430-93); J

The Tartars Carrying the Head of Heinrich before Castle Liegnitz; Saint Hedwig Seeing in a Dream Her Son's Soul
8631666 The Tartars Carrying the Head of Heinrich before Castle Liegnitz; Saint Hedwig Seeing in a Dream Her Son's Soul Carried to Heaven

Initial "B" (eatus Vir) from a Choir Psalter, c. 1430-50 (ink, tempera and gold leaf on vellum)
XOS5884574 Initial "B" (eatus Vir) from a Choir Psalter, c. 1430-50 (ink, tempera and gold leaf on vellum) by Master of the Vitae Imperatorum (15th century)

People of Andaman cynocephali, 1410-1412 (illumination)
1752497 People of Andaman cynocephali, 1410-1412 (illumination) by Master of Egerton, (active 1405-20); (add.info.: "People of Andaman cynocephali" Strange human creatures with dog heads)

Treasury Book, 14th century (handwritten)
7415652 Treasury Book, 14th century (handwritten) by Montbaston, Jeanne de (15th century); Bibliotheque de L'Arsenal, Paris

Anthony Woodville
3733249 Anthony Woodville.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers presenting his book to Edward IV of England)

Anthony Woodville presenting Caxton
3784562 Anthony Woodville presenting Caxton; (add.info.: Anthony Woodville presenting Caxton to Edward IV - from engraving of medieval manuscript)

On the praise and virtue of the noblemen and clerics of Boccaccio, 1493 (miniature)
7415662 On the praise and virtue of the noblemen and clerics of Boccaccio, 1493 (miniature) by Besancon, Jacques de (15th century) (attr)

On the Jewish battle of Flavius Josephe, 1492 (print)
7415660 On the Jewish battle of Flavius Josephe, 1492 (print) by Besancon, Jacques de (15th century) (attr. to); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

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The Illumination Manuscript: A Glimpse into the Artistry of the Past Step back in time with the Treasury Book, a remarkable 14th-century handwritten masterpiece that transports us to an era where words were meticulously crafted by hand. This extraordinary manuscript, adorned with intricate illuminations, provides a window into history and showcases the artistic brilliance of its time. One cannot delve into the world of illuminated manuscripts without mentioning Anthony Woodville, whose influence is evident throughout these pages. Picture him presenting Caxton, a renowned printer and publisher, with his work—an encounter that forever changed the course of literature. Within this captivating manuscript lies another gem—a miniature depicting Boccaccio's "On the Praise and Virtue of Noblemen and Clerics. " The delicate brushstrokes bring to life tales from this esteemed writer's collection, transporting readers to an age when storytelling was revered as an art form. Adjacent to it lies yet another treasure—a print detailing Flavius Josephus' account of the Jewish battle. Dated 1492, this vivid depiction takes us on a journey through history as we witness warriors clashing amidst tumultuous times. Returning our attention to Anthony Woodville once more—this time he presents Edward IV with "Dictes and Saying of Philosophers, " showcasing his dedication not only as Earl Rivers but also as a brother-in-law seeking knowledge for his kin. This illumination serves as a testament to their bond and shared pursuit of wisdom during the 15th century. Venturing further within these pages reveals Peter IV's Ceremonial or el del punyalet—an exquisite illumination from fourteenth-century Aragon that captures both regality and elegance in its strokes. It stands as a testament to Peter IV's reign while offering glimpses into courtly customs long forgotten. Amongst all these wonders lies an enchanting page representing allegories of Arithmetic and Geometry—a visual feast for those who appreciate the marriage of art and knowledge.