Commissioned by the King of France: 162 magnificent miniatures in gold and silver in a unique apocalypse manuscript
Apocalypse of 1313
Paris (France) — 1313

Apocalypse of 1313
Paris (France) — 1313
The luxurious manuscript was likely commissioned by King Philip IV of France (1268–1314)
This Apocalypse is one of the most significant manuscripts of the 14th century
A most original medieval Apocalypse manuscript, it originated from Colin Chadelve

Apocalypse of 1313
War in Heaven
Medieval audiences were very sensitive to colors and other visual cues representing concepts such as good and evil and as a result, color is very important in medieval art. The upper half of the present miniature is a fine example with a clear color contrast between the golden halos and silver weapons of Archangel Michael and the Heavenly Host, and the earth-toned, beastly, and crudely-armed fallen angels whom they fight on a battlefield made of clouds.
Apocalypse of 1313
- Apocalipsis 1313
- Apokalypse von 1313
- Apocalisse 1313
- L’Apocalypse en Français
- Apocalipse 1313
Short Description
The Apocalypse of 1313 was made in Paris by the illuminator Colin Chadelves. The work contains a thrilling picture cycle of 162 large, miniatures adorned with gold. The images boast a unique mixture of various styles. They make this Apocalypse one of the most significant illuminated manuscripts of the early 14th century.
Apocalypse of 1313
Numerous manuscripts about The Book of Revelation arose in the Middle Ages. This famous story from the New Testament is also called an Apocalypse. The Apocalypse of 1313 is an especially exciting version of that story. This manuscript is comprised of a picture cycle totaling 162 miniatures, which probably represent the most important and original illustration cycle of all the illuminated Apocalypses of the Middle Ages. It is the most famous work by the French illuminator Colin Chadelve.
A Royal Commissioner?
The outstanding manuscript was made by Colin Chadelve in 1313, probably produced at the behest of the French King Philipp the Fair. An Apocalypse is mentioned in the will of his daughter Isabelle of France, which is probably the manuscript from 1313. The valuable depictions, which were endowed with opulent gold, indicate a wealthy benefactor at the very least.
A Unique Mix of Styles
The work’s various stylistic influences are particularly worthy of note, which characterize the illuminator. Chadelve’s miniatures sometimes focus on the pictures of the Liber Floridus, a medieval encyclopedia from Flanders. The style of illuminated Beatus manuscripts also influenced the French artist in his work. The painter combined traditional iconographies with his own creative ideas and in doing so created a truly unique work.
Masterful Illumination
The images of the Apocalypse of 1313 show an astounding variety of details. The large, sometimes full-page miniatures in luminous colors were effectively contrasted with golden elements. The beholder is given a glimpse of the punishments that await the sinners in hell after the Day of Judgement. Chadelve depicts the most terrible torture methods. He shows sinners being skinned, cut in two, and dipped in boiling oil. The dramatic imagination of the artists was boundless. The fantastical depictions in thrilling colors and embellished with gold make the images of the Apocalypse unforgettable. The valuable original of the manuscript is found today in the French National Library in Paris.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Apocalipsis 1313
Apokalypse von 1313
Apocalisse 1313
L’Apocalypse en Français
Apocalipse 1313 - Size / Format
- 334 pages / 22.0 × 15.5 cm
- Origin
- Paris (France)
- Date
- 1313
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Script
- Gothic Rotunda
- Illustrations
- 162 miniatures (86 full-page illustrations) illuminated with gold
- Content
- French translation of the Book of Revelation
- Artist / School
- Colin Chadelve

Apocalypse of 1313
War in Heaven
War has broken out in heaven and the Archangel Michael leads a host of angels against the forces of the dragon who has deceived the world – Satan. The seven-headed dragon is painted bright red, standing out from the dark blue background of the lower half of the miniature. Stripped of their fair hues, the fallen angels are presented as beastly, furry, horned demons armed with clubs, some with macabre smiles.
Triumphing over them from above against a burnished gold background, the angels are white with grim faces, golden halos, and wings of pink and green. Although outnumbered, they are armed with swords and axes. With his characteristic cross-lance, the Archangel Michael pierces one of the mouths of the dragon, who is prostrate on his back.
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Apocalypse of 1313“
Apocalipsis 1313
- Publisher
- M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2011
- Limited Edition
- 987 copies
- Binding
- Light leather
- Commentary
-
1 volume by Marie-Thérèse Gousset and Marianne Besseyre
Language: Spanish - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Matching Works
Cambrai Apocalypse
Figures wearing classical robes and impressive architecture in 46 full-page miniatures: one of only four preserved Carolingian apocalypses
Experience MoreMatching Background Articles
Gothic
Gothic illumination is some of the most spectacular and iconic imagery of medieval art and first emerged in Northern...Experience more14th Century
How could a century of endemic warfare, famine, and the Black Death produce great minds like Petrarch, Boccaccio, and...Experience moreBeatus Manuscripts
The Spanish monk Beatus of Liébana wrote one of the most influential commentaries on the Book of Revelation that inspired...Experience moreApocalypses
Known as the Apocalypse during the Middle Ages, the Book of Revelations is one of the most widely read and hotly debated...Experience more
- Treatises / Secular Books
- Apocalypses / Beatus
- Astronomy / Astrology
- Bestiaries
- Bibles / Gospels
- Chronicles / History / Law
- Geography / Maps
- Saints' Lives
- Islam / Oriental
- Judaism / Hebrew
- Single Leaf Collections
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Literature / Poetry
- Liturgical Manuscripts
- Medicine / Botany / Alchemy
- Music
- Mythology / Prophecies
- Psalters
- Other Religious Books
- Games / Hunting
- Private Devotion Books
- Other Genres
- Aboca Museum
- Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA)
- Aldo Ausilio Editore - Bottega d’Erasmo
- Alecto Historical Editions
- Ars Magna
- ArtCodex
- AyN Ediciones
- Bärenreiter-Verlag
- Belser Verlag
- Belser Verlag / WK Wertkontor
- Bernardinum Wydawnictwo
- BiblioGemma
- Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vaticanstadt, Vaticanstadt)
- Bibliotheca Palatina Faksimile Verlag
- Bibliotheca Rara
- CAPSA, Ars Scriptoria
- Circulo Cientifico
- Club Bibliófilo Versol
- CM Editores
- Collezione Apocrifa Da Vinci
- Comissão Nacional para as Comemorações dos Descobrimentos Portugueses
- Coron Verlag
- De Agostini/UTET
- DIAMM
- E. Schreiber Graphische Kunstanstalten
- Ediciones Boreal
- Ediciones Grial
- Edilan
- Editalia
- Edition Leipzig
- Edition Libri Illustri
- Editiones Reales Sitios S. L.
- Editions Medicina Rara
- Editorial Mintzoa
- Egeria, S.L.
- Extraordinary Editions
- Facsimile Editions Ltd.
- Facsimilia Art & Edition Ebert KG
- Faksimile Verlag
- Franco Cosimo Panini Editore
- Fundación Hullera Vasco-Leonesa
- Giunti Editore
- Graffiti
- Grafica European Center of Fine Arts
- Helikon
- Herder Verlag
- Hes & De Graaf Publishers
- Hugo Schmidt Verlag
- Idion Verlag
- Il Bulino, edizioni d'arte
- Imago
- Insel Verlag
- Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani
- Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
- Kaydeda Ediciones
- La Meta Editore
- Leo S. Olschki
- Libreria Musicale Italiana
- Lumen Artis
- M. Moleiro Editor
- Manuscriptum
- Millennium Liber
- Nova Charta
- Orbis Mediaevalis
- Orbis Pictus
- Österreichische Staatsdruckerei
- Patrimonio Ediciones
- PIAF
- Prestel Verlag
- Priuli & Verlucca, editori
- Pro Sport Verlag
- Pytheas Books
- Quaternio Verlag Luzern
- Reales Sitios
- Reichert Verlag
- Roberto Vattori Editore
- Salerno Editrice
- Schöck ArtPrint Kft.
- Scrinium
- Scripta Maneant
- Scriptorium
- Siloé, arte y bibliofilia
- Styria Verlag
- Tempus Libri
- Testimonio Compañía Editorial
- The Clear Vue Publishing Partnership Limited
- The Facsimile Codex
- The Folio Society
- Tip.Le.Co
- TouchArt
- Trident Editore
- Vallecchi
- Van Wijnen
- Vicent Garcia Editores
- Wiener Mechitharisten-Congregation (Wien, Österreich)