Manuscript Illumination Collection (#9)

The Court of Gayumart (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi. Artist: Iranian master)
The Court of Gayumart (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi. Found in the collection of The David Collection

Picnic. Miniature from Yusuf and Zalikha (Legend of Joseph and Potiphars Wife) by Jami. Artist: Iranian master
Picnic. Miniature from Yusuf and Zalikha (Legend of Joseph and Potiphars Wife) by Jami. Found in the collection of The David Collection

Shirin Visiting Farhad. Artist: Iranian master
Shirin Visiting Farhad. Found in the collection of The David Collection

Kay Khusraw Marches to Gudarzs Rescue. (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi)
Kay Khusraw Marches to Gudarzs Rescue. (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi. Found in the collection of The David Collection

The Iranians Seek Refuge on Mount Hamavan (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdows Artist)
The Iranians Seek Refuge on Mount Hamavan (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi. Found in the collection of The David Collection

Iskander Watching the Sirens. (Manuscript illumination from the epic Iskandar-nameh). Artist: Iranian master
Iskander Watching the Sirens. (Manuscript illumination from the epic Iskandar-nameh). Found in the collection of The David Collection

A Princely Couple with Courtiers in a Garden. From the Shahnama (Book of Kings). Artist: Iranian master
A Princely Couple with Courtiers in a Garden. From the Shahnama (Book of Kings). Found in the collection of The David Collection

Single combat, 1600. Artist: Iranian master
Single combat, 1600. From a private collection

Captive youth being brought before a mounted prince, c. 1605. Artist: Indian Art
Captive youth being brought before a mounted prince, c. 1605. From a private collection

Mughal officer, c. 1650. Artist: Indian Art
Mughal officer, c. 1650. From a private collection

Indian armed cavalryman, c. 1500. Artist: Indian Art
Indian armed cavalryman, c. 1500. From a private collection

The siege of Beijing. Miniature from Jami al-tawarikh (Universal History), ca 1430. Artist: Anonymous
The siege of Beijing. Miniature from Jami al-tawarikh (Universal History), ca 1430. Found in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France

Battle between the Mongol and Jin Jurchen armies in north China in 1211. Miniature from Jami al-taw Artist: Anonymous
Battle between the Mongol and Jin Jurchen armies in north China in 1211. Miniature from Jami al-tawarikh (Universal History), ca 1430. Found in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France

Astronomicum Caesareum, 1540. Artist: Apian (Apianus), Peter (Petrus) (1495-1552)
Astronomicum Caesareum, 1540. Private Collection

Shah Anushirvan Captures the Fortress of Saqila. Artist: Iranian master
Shah Anushirvan Captures the Fortress of Saqila. Found in the collection of The David Collection

Abraham cast into the fire. (From Hadiqat al-Su ada (Garden of the Blessed) of Fuzuli). Artist: Anonymous
Abraham cast into the fire. (From Hadiqat al-Su ada (Garden of the Blessed) of Fuzuli). Found in the collection of The David Collection

Greek physician Erasistratos with an Assistant (Folio from an Arabic translation of the Materia Medica by Dioscorides), 1224. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Caravan of pilgrims in Ramleh (from a manuscript of Maqamat of al-Hariri), 1237. Found in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France

Khusraw Discovers Shirin Bathing. (From Pictorial Cycle of Eight Poetic Subjects), Mid of the 18th cen.. Found in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum, New York

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

Farhad Carries Shirin and her Horse on his Shoulders, 1431. Artist: Iranian master
Farhad Carries Shirin and her Horse on his Shoulders, 1431. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

The Battle Between Kay Khusraw and the King of Makran, 1494. Artist: Turkmen Master
The Battle Between Kay Khusraw and the King of Makran, 1494. Found in the collection of the The David Collection

Illustration from the Ramayana by Valmiki, Second half of the16th cen Artist: Mir Zayn al-Abidin (active 1570-1580)
Illustration from the Ramayana by Valmiki, Second half of the16th cen.. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Khosrow and Shirin, Early 15th cen Artist: Anonymous
Khosrow and Shirin, Early 15th cen.. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Horseman in a Landscape, Mid of 17th cen Artist: Iranian master
Horseman in a Landscape, Mid of 17th cen.. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Specimen of Calligraphy, 1608. Artist: Zein al-Abidin Tabrizi (active 17th century)
Specimen of Calligraphy, 1608. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Amorous Couple and a Servant, 1696. Artist: Mu in Musavvir (1617-1708)
Amorous Couple and a Servant, 1696. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Youth wearing a short fur-lined coat over his shoulder, 1640s. Artist: Muhammad Yusuf (Mid of the 17th cen. )
Youth wearing a short fur-lined coat over his shoulder, 1640s. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Folio from Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami, 1550s. Artist: Iranian master
Folio from Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami, 1550s. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Youth Seated in the Fork of a Blossoming Tree, 1560s. Artist: Iranian master
Youth Seated in the Fork of a Blossoming Tree, 1560s. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Sama Ceremony. Miniature from a manuscript of the Divan of Hafez, 1512. Artist: Anonymous
Sama Ceremony. Miniature from a manuscript of the Divan of Hafez, 1512. From a private collection

Sultan Baz Bahadur and Roopmati, ca 1735. Artist: Mir Kalan Khan (active 1730-1780)
Sultan Baz Bahadur and Roopmati, ca 1735. From a private collection

The Lord Krishna in the Golden City, ca 1586. Artist: Kalan, Kesav (active End of 16th cen. )
The Lord Krishna in the Golden City, ca 1586. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Maharana Ari Singh worshipping in his palace, 1765. Artist: Anonymous
Maharana Ari Singh worshipping in his palace, 1765. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

The Feast of Sada. From the Shahnama (Book of Kings), c. 1525. Artist: Sultan Muhammad (1470s-1555)
The Feast of Sada. From the Shahnama (Book of Kings), c. 1525. Found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Tayang Khan Presented with the Head of the Mongol Leader Ong Khan (Miniature from Jami al-tawarikh (Universal History), c. 1596. Found in the collection of the The David Collection

DEVIL WORSHIP, c1460. Waldensians worshipping the devil in the form of a he-goat at a midnight meeting; a man prepares to kiss the goats anus

SIEGE, 15th CENTURY. Soldiers scaling the walls of a city during an attack. Manuscript illumination from Chroniques de Charles VII, 15th century

The alchemical doctrine of Two Contraries in an illumination from the 16th century ms
ALCHEMY, 16th CENTURY. The alchemical doctrine of Two Contraries in an illumination from the 16th century ms. of Pandora: the king and queen, symbolizing male and female, sun and moon, day and night

BURYING PLAGUE VICTIMS in coffins at Tournai in 1349. Flemish ms. illumination, 14th century

DAY SIX OF CREATION. The sixth day of creation (Genesis 1: 24-31). French manuscript illumination, c1250

ADAM AND EVE. The Expulsion from Paradise (Genesis 3: 22-24): French manuscript illumination, c1250

FACUNDUS BEATUS, 1047. Judgement of Babylon. Manuscript illumination from the Beatus of Ferdinand I, 1047

ADAM AND EVE. The Creation of Eve (Genesis 2: 15-18, 21-23). French manuscript illumination, c1250

KNIGHT OF PRATO, 14th C. Illumination from a 14th century Italian manuscript

MEDIEVAL MERCHANT. Manuscript illumination from a Hortus Deliciarum, Alsace, 12th century

SPAIN: MEDIEVAL SHIP. Manuscript illumination, 13th century, from the Cantigas de Alfonso X

Jahangir Preferring a Sufi sheikh to Kings, c. 1618. Artist: Bichitr (?-ca 1660)
Jahangir Preferring a Sufi sheikh to Kings, c. 1618. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"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.