How can we, ordinary people, judge the beauty of medieval manuscripts? Let's give this opportunity to a true expert - Giovanni Scorcioni, co-founder of Facsimile Finder. It is a leading provider of facsimile, i.e. copied, medieval manuscripts and books.
Giovanni is from Italy. He spent almost ten years studying copies of medieval manuscripts. We have selected 10 manuscripts, which, according to Giovanni, are the most interesting and beautiful.
1
The Gospel of Landisfarne (British Library)
The Gospel of Landisfarne needs no further introduction. This is one of the best and most beautiful works in the Celtic-Anglo-Saxon style - one of the so-called “island gospels”. The manuscript combines Anglo-Saxon, Mediterranean and Celtic styles. It is believed that it was written by a monk named Edfried in 715.
2
Hours of Joan of d'Evreux (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
All the miniatures in this valuable manuscript are made in black contours with dashed lines. There are red contours honed by shadows and various shiny colors. The hour book was created by Jean Püsel, who first opened the world to the grisaille technique.
It is amazing how precisely the smallest details and silhouettes are spelled out in this medieval manuscript. Now the work is in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3
Godescalc Gospel (National Library of France)
According to Godeskalk himself, the monk who created this beautiful manuscript, “This is my great creation, where words are carved in gold and Christ sits on the throne.”
The Gospel is an illuminated manuscript, which was created by the already named monk for King Charlemagne between 780 and 783 years.
The book contains six miniatures depicted: four evangelists, the fountain of life, and Christ on the throne. At the moment, the work is in the National Museum in Paris.
4
Prayer book for the Queen. Artist Claude de France (Morgan Library and Museum, USA)
According to Roger Wick, the curator of this manuscript in the Morgan library, this is simply the greatness of the artistic thought and art of those times. The prayer book was specially created for the French queen by Claude de France. The manuscript captivates with its miniature size, only 69 by 49 mm, as well as cute and delicate pictures.
Art lovers are encouraged to look at an interesting article on most-beauty.ru about mysterious mosaics that amaze with their beauty and grandeur.
5
Psalter of St. Alban (Schnutgen Museum, Cologne)
The chic miniatures of this manuscript and the initials traced in gold letters form just a delightful color scheme, which seems like the images are about to come to life and move to the rhythm of the music. A fantastic art gallery since the heyday of English book making.
6
Westminster Abbey Bestiary (Westminster Abbey Library)
Of all the existing ancient bestiaries, the Westminster bestiary is considered one of the most beautiful and richly illustrated. It contains many descriptions of animals, existing and mythological, also contains legends and myths. The exact author and year of publication is unknown, but the 12th century is indicated.
7
Vienna Genesis (Austrian National Library)
This is the oldest painted manuscript, which has been preserved to this day in good quality. There is an ancient (Cotton Genesis), but it was badly damaged by fire. Genesis translated into Greek Septuagint. It is written in gold and silver ink on sheets of calfskin painted in purple. Each page has a beautiful thumbnail and text. Only about 48 images in high quality.
8
Black Hourglass (Morgan Library and Museum)
The Black Hourglass is a magnificent creation. All 121 pages are painted in a special way in black. When staining, carbon black and iron and copper compounds were used. To emphasize the miniatures on a dark background, only lead or opaque paints were used, and for the text, gold and silver inks were used. Only three of the seven black watch books have been able to reach our days.
9
Morgan Crusader Bible (Getty Museum)
This Bible was commissioned by King Louis IX of France, who led the two Crusades. It depicts in great detail and with the smallest details battle scenes from biblical times, as well as from the time of the Crusades. The book is not only of great artistic value, but also historical, in which you can see much of the life of those times.
10
Cardinal Grimani's Breviary (National Library of Marchiana)
This is real evidence of magnificent Flemish art created during the Renaissance. This manuscript is distinguished by the fact that it alternates motifs from the biblical and secular life of those times. The manuscript got its name from the collector, who owned it for a long time. Then it was transferred to the state.
Summary
At the end of our selection, it is worth saying thanks to Giovanni for such a selection of beautiful and fascinating ancient publications. If interested, you can see even more facsimile manuscripts on Facsimile Finder.com.