Scribe Collection (#15)

BAENA, Juan Alfonso de (1406-1454). Poet and scribe of King John II of Castile. Page of a facsimile from El Cancionero

SCRIBE, EugSne (1791-1861). French dramatist. Litography

The cult inscription built by King Antiochus I Theos in honor of his father Mithridates, Arsameia Ruins, Adiyaman, Turkey

EGYPT: THE GOD THOTH Thoth in the form of a baboon protecting the royal scribe Nebmertouf. 18th Dynasty

MAYAN SCRIBE, 300-650 A. D. Mayan scribe kneeling to write. In his right hand is an awl or sharp instrument
MAYAN SCRIBE, 300-650 A.D. Mayan scribe kneeling to write. In his right hand is an awl or sharp instrument and in his left is a roll of parchment

SCRIBE: EGYPTIAN. Two scribes, squatting at their desks piled with rolled-up records, assisted by their clerks. A relief from the tomb of Ti at Sakkara, Egypt, dating from the 27th century B.C

USHABTI STATUETTE. Statuette of the royal scribe Ptah Mes, garbed as in life. Egypt, 18th Dynasty

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

MEDIEVAL WRITER. a Medieval writer, possibliy a scribe, in his cell. Woodcut, 15th century

SCRIBE: ARAB, 14th CENTURY. An Arabic scribe at work, after an illustration from a 14th century manuscript of al-Hariris Maqamat

SAINT JEROME. Oil on canvas, Spanish, Segovia school, 1500

ENGLISH MONK, c1200. Wood engraving after an illumination in a English manuscript, c1200

SCRIBE: PAOLO ATTAVANTI. Woodcut from Paolo Attavantis Breviarium totius juris canonici, Milan, Italy, 1497

MONK: SCRIBE, 1488-89. Monk seated writing. Woodcut, from the Mer des Hystoires, Paris, 1488-89

EGYPT: CAPTURED AFRICANS. Captured African families are counted by a scribe. Line engraving, German, 1887, after an ancient Egyptian tomb painting

AUGUSTINE EUGENE SCRIBE (1791-1861). French playwright. Engraving after a medallion, 1843, by P. J. David d Angers
AUGUSTINE EUGENE SCRIBE (1791-1861). French playwright. Engraving after a medallion, 1843, by P.J. David d Angers

MEDIEVAL MATHEMATICIANS. Two mathematical monks; one teaching the globe, the other copying a manuscript. Engraving after a miniature in the 13th century ms. of the Romance of the Image of the World

SCRIBES IN ANCIENT GREECE. Wood engraving, 19th century

JOSIAH (c640-609 B. C. ). King of Judah and leader of the reform movement
JOSIAH (c640-609 B.C.). King of Judah and leader of the reform movement. Copper engraving from an 18th century English bible

JAPANESE SCRIBE. A Japanese calligrapher. Line engraving, late 19th century, after Alphonse de Neuville

European Gentleman in Public Office attended by the Crannies, or Native Clerks. (Plate 3 of 20) Date: 1813

Apparition of the Virgin to St. Bernard by Lippi, Fra Filippino (1406-1469). Date: circa 1910s

Reverend Samuel Schor as an eastern scribe
Postcard published by the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews - this is a picture of the Rev. Samuel Schor - dressed as an eastern scribe

Ezra, Prophet
EZRA Jewish priest and scribe, a teacher of the Torah, advocate of strict observance of the law, particularly opposing the taking of foreign wives. Date: circa 459 BCE

Bede finishing his translation of the bible
Bede (673-735) - A monk at the Northumbrian monastry of Saint Peter who was the first person to write a history of Britain

Parchment use, medieval Europe
Parchment use in medieval Europe. Parchment is a writing material produced from animal skins, used in various cultures from at least the first few millennia BC

Wax tablet writing, Ancient Rome
Wax tablet writing in Ancient Rome. Romans using a stylus and wax tablet to write messages or make calculations. The wax layers would be encased in a wooden support

Papyrus scrolls, Ancient Rome
Papyrus scrolls in Ancient Rome. Papyrus is a wetland sedge found along the Nile in Egypt. Its pith was used as early as the 3rd millennium BC by the Ancient Egyptians

Woodcut of scribes at work
Scribes at work. Woodcut illustration depicting a group of scribes and their clients. Scribes were educated people who could read and write

EGYPTIAN SCRIBES. Scribes squatting at their desks and assisted by their clerks, recording the collection of taxes. After a relief from the tomb of Ti at Sakkara, Egypt

Ancient style of writing during an historical reenactment at Venice Arsenale, Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe

Weighing cotton, India
Weighing cotton at Bombay for the English Market. A scribe with a parasol look on from above and makes notes

Izmir, Turkey - Public Scribe
Public Scribe at Izmir (Smyrna), Turkey

Interrogating Witness
A Chinese official questions a witness, held on her knees by an assistant, while a scribe records her testimony

Scribes record crop in harvest scene, Tomb of Menna, 18th dynasty, Sheikh Abd el-Kurna, Valley of the Nobles, Thebes, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Eugene Scribe
EUGENE SCRIBE Popular French author depicted with his earnings heaped around his writing-desk

Courts / Queens Bench
The Court of the Queens Bench in session

Egyptian Scribe
Egyptian scribes

Ancient Egyptian Scribe
Ancient Egyptian scribe recording a tribute

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The art of the scribe has transcended time and cultures, leaving behind a rich legacy of knowledge and creativity. From the ancient Papyrus of Ani (Book of the Dead) to the intricate illustrations in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, these skilled individuals played a vital role in preserving history. In medieval times, scribes meticulously copied manuscripts, ensuring that valuable texts were not lost to time. Their dedication can be seen in depictions such as The Seven Liberal Arts from Hortus deliciarum or the Folio of Codex depicting Catalan Parliament. These works showcase their attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Scribes also held important positions within legal systems like the Court of Exchequer and Court of Common Pleas. They recorded proceedings with precision, ensuring justice was served and documented for future generations. Beyond administrative duties, scribes were often scholars themselves. In 16th-century Europe, they immersed themselves in academia, contributing to intellectual pursuits alongside renowned thinkers. Their work helped shape our understanding of various subjects throughout history. From ancient Egypt's Stela of Ani depicting a royal scribe to The Seated Scribe statue dating back thousands of years before Christ, these artifacts demonstrate how highly regarded this profession was across civilizations. Even beyond written records, scribes found inspiration in nature and poetry. A Japanese poet sitting beneath a cherry tree captures their connection with beauty and contemplation while transcribing thoughts onto paper. Throughout history, whether it be recording prophecies like Jeremiah dictating his visions or copying manuscripts by candlelight during medieval times – one thing remains constant: the indispensable role played by these dedicated individuals known as scribes.