The Queen Mary Psalter
— The — Queen Mary Psalter A treasure of the British Library Reserve | View | More information The Queen Mary Psalter is one of the most valuable books kept in the collection of the British Library. The 800 miniatures, historiated initials and bas-de-page scenes of this magnificent illuminated manuscript is believed to be crafted…
Read MorePetit Heures du Duc de Berry
Petit Heures de Duc de Berry Petites Heures of Jean of France, Duc de Berry A Small Prayer Book, a Great Work of Art This little Book of Hours is a monumental artistic achievement of the 14c, commissioned by the bibliophile Jean de Berry. The son of a king, the brother, and uncle, of of…
Read MoreThe Breslau Psalter
The Breslau Psalter Exceptionally sumptuous and imposing, the Breslau Psalter is one of the most impressive manuscripts to have survived from the Middle Ages. This treasure is kept at the world-renowned Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, who say that this ‘Psalter displays the piety, wealth and cosmopolitan tastes of its ducal patrons’. A perfect facsimile of…
Read MoreThe Sobieski Hours
The Sobieski Hours … exquisite detailed scenes… illuminated text that will not only visually delight but will gratify with their intricate compositions and “stories”… and an enigma as to who commissioned the work; and for whom intended. Written in Latin, the 234 vellum folios were created after 1420. Sixty full page miniatures; and more than…
Read MoreThe Book of Kells
The Book of Kells The Book of Kells, which eclipsed all other artistic and cultural achievements of the early Middle Ages, was created around AD 800 by Irish monks to glorify the life of Christ. The first mention of this work of art is probably the entry in the Annals of Ulster under the year…
Read MoreThe Briçonnet Hours
The Briçonnet Hours The Briçonnet Hours is a wonder of skill and artistry, containing twenty-five glorious miniatures created to look as if they were panel paintings, complete with trompe l’oeil decorative frames. Remarkable for their mastery of colour and inventive style, the miniatures seem to invite the viewer to step inside a personal gallery of…
Read MoreThe Peterborough Psalter
The Peterborough Psalter STUNNING MINIATURES AND GILDED GOTHIC SCRIPT The Peterborough Psalter is an extravagance in gold and opulent colours. 116 miniatures framed in gold, 24 calendar medallions, 10 large historiated initials surrounded by decorative scenic borders, smaller initials in gold, line fillers, and stylized foliage decorate this unusual illuminated manuscript. The list of illustrious…
Read MoreThe Lindisfarne Gospels
The Lindisfarne Gospels The Lindisfarne Gospels: the outstanding achievement of early medieval western art The Lindisfarne Gospels must be the outstanding artistic creation of the early Middle Ages with their breathtaking colours and the innumerable detailed ornamental decoration. The text uses 45 colours and tones: including intricate spirals, beautiful whorls, and fantastic bird and animal…
Read MoreGaston Phoebus – Hunting Book
Gaston Phoebus – The Hunting Book A best seller, straight from the Middle Ages. In the years 1387-1389, Gaston III, count of Foix and Báarn in the south of France, also known as “Phoebus”, after the Greek sun god, wrote his Livre de Chasse, or The Hunting Book. This work is the most famous record…
Read MoreRomance of Alexander
Romance of Alexander Myths and legends – the life of Alexander the Great, exemplar soldier and king In 1757 King George II donated to the British Museum the Old Royal Library which included a manuscript with the deceptive reference of MS Royal 20 B XX. In the flyleaf of this remarkable manuscript was added ‘HR’…
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