Manuscript Illumination Collection (#27)

HARVESTING, c1500. English manuscript illumination

Hernando Cortes speaking with Montezuma II. Illumination from the Codex Florentino, c1540
SPANISH CONQUEST. Hernando Cortes speaking with Montezuma II. Illumination from the Codex Florentino, c1540, compiled by Bernardino de Sahagun (1499-1590)

Skulls of sacrificed men and horses skewered on horizontal poles and on display
MEXICO: SKULL RACK. Skulls of sacrificed men and horses skewered on horizontal poles and on display. Illumination from the Codex Florentino, c1540, compiled by Bernardino de Sahagun

Plan of Canterbury, England. After a contemporary illuminated manuscript
CANTERBURY, 15th CENTURY. Plan of Canterbury, England. After a contemporary illuminated manuscript

encircling a geocentric (Ptolemaic) universe: drawing from a 16th century Austrian ms
ASTRONOMY: A ZODIAC encircling a geocentric (Ptolemaic) universe: drawing from a 16th century Austrian ms. of Johannes de Sacroboscos " De sphaera."

Plan of the city of Jerusalem, published in Flanders, 12th century
JERUSALEM, 12th CENTURY. Plan of the city of Jerusalem, published in Flanders, 12th century

The lame, the halt, the blind and the leprous seeking medical consultation with the German physician
HEIDELBERG LIEDER, 14th C. The lame, the halt, the blind and the leprous seeking medical consultation with the German physician

Illumination from an English version, c1200, of a Latin herbal originally written in 400 A. D
HERBAL: ARTEMISIA, c1200. Illumination from an English version, c1200, of a Latin herbal originally written in 400 A.D

Doctor taking a patients pulse: illumination from Italian manuscript of Plinys Natural History, 1476
DOCTOR AND PATIENT, 1476. Doctor taking a patients pulse: illumination from Italian manuscript of Plinys Natural History, 1476

discuss the mandrake. Arabic ms. of De Materia Medica, 1229 A. D
DIOSCORIDES AND STUDENT discuss the mandrake. Arabic ms. of De Materia Medica, 1229 A.D

A hawking party in August: illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean
BOOK OF HOURS: AUGUST. A hawking party in August: illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the " Tres Riches Heures" of Jean, Duke of Berry

A procession of merrymakers in May: illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean
BOOK OF HOURS: MAY. A procession of merrymakers in May: illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry

The acorn harvest in November. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the Tres Riches Heures of Jean
BOOK OF HOURS: NOVEMBER. The acorn harvest in November. Illumination from the 15th century manuscript of the " Tres Riches Heures" of Jean, Duke of Berry

From the Ellesmere manuscript of Canterbury Tales, early 15th century
CHAUCER: THE MAN OF LAW. From the Ellesmere manuscript of Canterbury Tales, early 15th century

Shearing sheep and reaping wheat in July: illumination from the 15th century manuscript of Tres Riches Heures of Jean
BOOK OF HOURS: JULY. Shearing sheep and reaping wheat in July: illumination from the 15th century manuscript of " Tres Riches Heures" of Jean, Duke of Berry

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

King of the Franks (768-814) and Emperor of the West (800-814). Charlemagne receiving gifts of pagan kings
CHARLEMAGNE (742-814). King of the Franks (768-814) and Emperor of the West (800-814). Charlemagne receiving gifts of pagan kings from Ganelon. Medieval manuscript illumination

Sultan of Egypt and Syria. Saladin (left) supervising the siege of Jerusalem, 1187
SALADIN (1138-1193). Sultan of Egypt and Syria. Saladin (left) supervising the siege of Jerusalem, 1187. French manuscript illumination, 15th century

Turkic conqueror, born near Samarkand. Indian ms. illumination
TAMERLANE (1336?-1405). Turkic conqueror, born near Samarkand. Indian ms. illumination

AZTEC BALL GAME. Manuscript illumination of an Aztec ball game court and ball players, from Codex Magliabecchiano

Life of Christ: Noli Me Tangere. French miniature manuscript illumination, late 12th- early 13th century
JESUS: RESURRECTION. Life of Christ: Noli Me Tangere. French miniature manuscript illumination, late 12th- early 13th century

Illumination from an Italian Missal, 1463
THE CRUCIFIXION. Illumination from an Italian Missal, 1463

CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL. The conversion of Saint Paul on the road to Damascus. Illumination from Livre des Merveilles, c1410

The Ascension from a French Book of Hours, c1480
ASCENSION. The Ascension from a French Book of Hours, c1480

Christ and His Ancestor David. Psalter illumination, English, c1240
CHRIST AND DAVID. Christ and His Ancestor David. Psalter illumination, English, c1240

The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Kebran manuscript. Ethiopia. c1420
ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Kebran manuscript. Ethiopia. c1420

Illumination from a French Psalter, c1290
THE CRUCIFIXION. Illumination from a French Psalter, c1290

Christ blessing loaves and fishes. Manuscript illumination, French, by the Master of the Parement of Narbonne, c1400
WEDDING AT CANA. Christ blessing loaves and fishes. Manuscript illumination, French, by the Master of the Parement of Narbonne, c1400

CHRIST EXORCISING A DEMON from a possessed youth: illumination from the 15th century ms. of the " Tres Riches Heures" of Jean, Duke of Berry

Saint Veronica and her cloth. Illumination from a 15th century German manuscript
VERONICAs VEIL. Saint Veronica and her cloth. Illumination from a 15th century German manuscript

Three temptations of Christ: English manuscript illumination from Huntingsfield Psalter, c1215
TEMPTATIONS OF CHRIST Three temptations of Christ: English manuscript illumination from Huntingsfield Psalter, c1215

from a Book of Hours illuminated by Jean Bourdichon, c1515
SHALLOTS from a Book of Hours illuminated by Jean Bourdichon, c1515

Also known as ibn-Rushd. Spanish-Arabian philosopher and physician. Medieval manuscript painting depicting Averroes
AVERROES (1126-1198). Also known as ibn-Rushd. Spanish-Arabian philosopher and physician. Medieval manuscript painting depicting Averroes anachronistically discussing dietary abstinence with

A school in philosophy at Constantinople. Illumination from Skylitzes codex, 13th-14th centuries
BYZANTINE PHILOSOPHY SCHOOL. A school in philosophy at Constantinople. Illumination from Skylitzes codex, 13th-14th centuries

(seated, writing). English ms. illumination, 13th century
PLATO WITH SOCRATES (seated, writing). English ms. illumination, 13th century

Roman philosopher. Led by Wisdom to throne of God: French manuscript illumination, c1425-1430
BOETHIUS (c480-524). Roman philosopher. Led by Wisdom to throne of God: French manuscript illumination, c1425-1430

MINNESINGER, 14th CENTURY. The minnesinger Schenke von Limburg in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder manuscript

HEIDELBERG LIEDER, 14th C. The minnesinger Kristan von Hamle in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder manuscript illumination

BERNART DE VENTADOUR (c1150-95). French troubadour. Illumination from a 13th century French manuscript

HEIDELBERG LIEDER, 14th C. The schoolmaster and minnesinger of Esslingen in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder manuscript illumination

HEIDELBERG LIEDER, 14th C. The minnesinger Hugo von Werbenwag in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder ms

HEIDELBERG LIEDER, C. 14th. The minnesinger Hiltbold von Schwangau in an illumination from the early 14th century great
HEIDELBERG LIEDER, C.14th. The minnesinger Hiltbold von Schwangau in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder manuscript

MINNESINGER, 14th CENTURY. The minnesinger Heinrich von Rugge in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder manuscript

ALFONSO X (1221-1284). King of Castile, Leon, and Galicia. Alfonso X dictates to a scribe at his court. Manuscript illumination, 13th century, from the Cantigas de Alfonso X

HEIDELBERG LIEDER, 14th C. The minnesinger Dietmar der Sezzer in a tournament in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder ms

GERMAN MINNESINGER 14th C. The minnesinger Alram von Gresten, in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder manuscript

HEIDELBERG LIEDER, C. 14th. The minnesinger Graf Kraft von Toggenburg in an illumination from the early 14th century
HEIDELBERG LIEDER, C.14th. The minnesinger Graf Kraft von Toggenburg in an illumination from the early 14th century great Heidelberg Lieder manuscript

MINNESINGER LIEDER. The minnesinger Rudolf von Rotenberg. Illumination from the great Heidelberg Lieder manuscript, early 14th century

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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.