Scriptorium Collection

Abelard and Heloise
ABELARD AND HELOISE French scholar and nun embracing in the scriptorium

Monks Copying Manuscript
Monastic copyists replicating manuscripts in the scriptorium of their monastery

Scribe copying manuscripts in the Middle Ages
Medieval scribe writing at a desk, surrounded by open manuscripts. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

CODEX AMIATINUS: EZRA. Ezra the scribe writing in a large codex held on his knees. Illumination from the Codex Amiatinus, Northumbria, early 8th century

Whitsun, illuminated capital letter in the Episcopal Sacramentary of Elna, manuscript on parchment made, probably in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Elna (Roussillon), c. 1275-1300

Monk at work on a manuscript in the corner of a scriptorium. 15th century (engraving after a manuscript)
533948 Monk at work on a manuscript in the corner of a scriptorium. 15th century (engraving after a manuscript); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Scribe, from a Book of Hours, c1470. Creator: Unknown
Scribe, from a Book of Hours, c1470. Monk or scribe working at a desk

Four Evangelists in a Scriptorium, 1539. Creator: Master I.K
Four Evangelists in a Scriptorium, 1539

Saint Jerome in his Study. Detail. Castilian School
Master of the Parral (active 1480-1500). Saint Jerome in his Study. Detail. Castilian School, about 1480-1490. Lazaro Galdiano Museum. Madrid. Spain

Saint Jerome in his Study. Castilian School, about 1480-1490
Master of the Parral (active 1480-1500). Saint Jerome in his Study. Castilian School, about 1480-1490. Lazaro Galdiano Museum. Madrid. Spain

Chair with ornate carved back and cushion with tassels, and scriptorium or inkstand, 10th century
6338951 Chair with ornate carved back and cushion with tassels, and scriptorium or inkstand, 10th century by Villain (19th century); (add.info)

Scribe at work with quill and knife at a writing desk, seated on a chair with footrest, 9th century
6338982 Scribe at work with quill and knife at a writing desk, seated on a chair with footrest, 9th century by Villain (19th century); (add.info)

Two canons reading in a library, Le livre de bonnes moeurs de Jacques Legrand
JLJ4574874 Two canons reading in a library, Le livre de bonnes moeurs de Jacques Legrand, ca 1450 Musee Conde, Chantilly, France by French School, (15th century); Musee Conde, Chantilly

A Monk instructing others in the Art of Illumination (engraving)
1601651 A Monk instructing others in the Art of Illumination (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Monk instructing others in the Art of Illumination)

Illustration for the Danse Macabre, published Paris, 1485 (woodcut) (b / w photo)
BBC211055 Illustration for the Danse Macabre, published Paris, 1485 (woodcut) (b/w photo) by Marchant, Guy (fl.1485); Private Collection; French, out of copyright

Moines mathematiciens, l un enseignant la sphere, l autre copiant un manuscrit (engraving)
2782018 Moines mathematiciens, l un enseignant la sphere, l autre copiant un manuscrit (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Moines mathematiciens)

The Restoration of Chester Cathedral (engraving)
1053757 The Restoration of Chester Cathedral (engraving) by Brewer, Henry William (fl.1858-d.1903); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Restoration of Chester Cathedral)

Ms. fr. 273 fol. 7 Livy (59 BC-AD 17) Writing and the Foundation of Rome
XIR173254 Ms.fr.273 fol.7 Livy (59 BC-AD 17) Writing and the Foundation of Rome, from The Annals of the Roman People translated by Pierre Bersuire, c.1475 (vellum) by Fouquet

Scriptorium of a monastery (engraving)
2792868 Scriptorium of a monastery (engraving) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Scriptorium of a monastery)

Un copiste au Moyen-age (engraving)
2787810 Un copiste au Moyen-age (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Un copiste au Moyen-age)

Calligrapher (chromolitho)
964248 Calligrapher (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Calligrapher, a miniature from the Boece manuscript, France, 15th century)

Jean Mielot in the scriptorium (chromolitho)
964213 Jean Mielot in the scriptorium (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Image in grisaille from The Miracles of Our Lady showing Jean Mielot in)

Copyist Writing upon a Sheet of Vellum, from a manuscript
XJF173284 Copyist Writing upon a Sheet of Vellum, from a manuscript, illustration from Science and Literature in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, written and engraved by Paul Lacroix

Monks illuminating in a Convent at Valladolid, Spain (engraving)
1103909 Monks illuminating in a Convent at Valladolid, Spain (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Monks illuminating in a Convent at Valladolid, Spain)

Saint Jerome in His Study, 1514. Creator: Albrecht Durer
Saint Jerome in His Study, 1514

Apocalypsis cu Figuris, 1511. 1511. Creator: Albrecht Durer
Apocalypsis cu Figuris, 1511

Crucifixion. Miniature in the Missale parvum, manuscript on parchment, c. 1075 - 1100

Nativity, illuminated capital letter in the Episcopal Sacramentary of Elna manuscript on parchment made??, probably in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Elna (Roussillon), c. 1275-1300

The Three Marys at the Tomb, illuminated capital letter in the Episcopal Sacramentary of Elna, Manuscript on parchment made, probably in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Elna (Roussillon), c

The Ascension of Jesus, illuminated capital letter from Episcopal Sacramentary of Elna. Handwritten on parchment made, probably, in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Elna (Roussillon), c. 1275-1300

Letter I illuminated with figurations of the bust of Jesus Christ and an evangelist, corresponding to the part of the four Gospels in the Missale Parvum, manuscript on parchment, c

Table of concordance of the four gospels, biblical references are framed between columns crowned with horseshoes, capitals and bases decorated with human and animal heads

Missale Parvum. Manuscript on parchment, c. 1075 - 1100, work attributed to the Scriptorium of the Cathedral of Girona

Elna episcopal Sacramentary, manuscript on parchment made?? probably in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Elna (Roussillon), c. 1275 - 1300

Roman Pontifical of Vic, manuscript on parchment made probably in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Vic, c.1090

Drop cap C illuminated with two birds and lush floral decoration, manuscript on parchment made?? probably in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Tortosa, c.1170 - 1190

Drop cap C illuminated with a quadruped and floral motifs in the Sacramentary of San Juan de las Abadesas manuscript on parchment made?? probably in the scriptorium of Tortosa, c 1170 - 1190

Calendar decorated with motifs of birds and humans heads in different colors, miniature in the Sacramentary of San Juan de las Abadesas, manuscript on parchment made?

Drop cap C illuminated with floral motives in the Sacramentary of San Juan de las Abadesas, manuscript on parchment made probably in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Tortosa, c.1170 - 1190

San Esteban (? - 32-37), deacon and martyr. Stoning of St. Stephen Illuminated capital letter of Bishops of Elna Sacramentary, manuscript on parchment made?

Drop cap D illuminated with heads of birds and vegetables interlacing in the Sacramentary of San Juan de las Abadesas, manuscript on parchment made?

Sacramentary of San Juan de les Abadesas, manuscript on parchment made probably in the scriptorium of Tortosa Cathedral, c.1170-1190

Pontifical from Vic, manuscript on parchment made in the scriptorium of the Cathedral of Vic, first half of the 12th century

Scribe or copyist, 15th century, (1870). An engraving from The Arts of the Middle Ages and at the Period of the Renaissance, by Paul Lacroix, (London, 1870)

Initial letter L, (1870). An engraving from The Arts of the Middle Ages and at the Period of the Renaissance, by Paul Lacroix, (London, 1870)

St Jude and King Ahaziah, second half of the 14th century, (1843). Artist: Henry Shaw
St Jude and King Ahaziah, second half of the 14th century, (1843). Scenes from a manuscript service book and lectionary. St Jude is writing his epistle with the tools of a scribe - the quire is here

Monks at work on manuscripts in a scriptorium, c1900. Liebig trade card

Monk at work on a manuscript in the corner of a scriptorium, 15th century

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In the quiet corners of history, where words were cherished and knowledge revered, the scriptorium stood as a sanctuary for scholars and scribes alike. Within its hallowed walls, tales unfolded like delicate petals unfurling under the watchful eyes of Abelard and Heloise. Monks, their robes swishing softly against the stone floors, diligently copied manuscripts with quill in hand. Each stroke of ink was an act of devotion to preserve wisdom for future generations. The air hummed with whispered prayers as they meticulously crafted illuminated capital letters on sacred pages. The Whitsun sun cast its golden rays upon a manuscript's vellum surface, illuminating an intricate capital letter within the Episcopal Sacramentary of Elna. Its vibrant colors danced across the page like whispers from another time. In Northumbria's early 8th century Codex Amiatinus, Ezra sat cross-legged on his knees, engrossed in writing scripture onto large parchment leaves. His hands moved swiftly yet gracefully across each line as he poured his soul into every word. Saint Jerome found solace amidst towering shelves filled with ancient tomes in his study adorned by Castilian School artists' skilled hands. With furrowed brow and quill poised above parchment, he delved deep into translations that would shape theological discourse for centuries to come. The Lorsch Gospels (Codex Aureus Laurensius) breathed life into biblical narratives through vivid illustrations painted in 778 AD. These masterpieces transcended mere text; they became portals to divine stories etched forevermore upon fragile pages. Erasmus of Rotterdam's engraving by Durer captured a scholar lost in thought—a testament to intellectual pursuit during Renaissance times when minds sought enlightenment beyond borders and boundaries. John Duns Scotus' philosophical musings echoed through time as this Scottish thinker challenged conventional wisdom with profound insights that still resonate today.