Beatus of Liébana - Geneva Codex

In 2007, there was a sensational story for enthusiasts of old books to report from Genf: a previously unknown Beatus manuscript resurfaced. The co-called Geneva Codex is a richly-illustrated, 11th century manuscript originating from southern Italy of the important Apocalypse commentary by the 8th century Spanish Benedictine Monk Beatus of Liébana. This edition, the 27th known Beatus, puts forth 65 splendid and magnificent miniatures, which vividly visualizes the fantastical tales of the Apocalypse.

A Sensational Event

The Brothers of the Congregation of St. Francis of Sales applied to the Bibliothèque de Genève with a sensational piece in 2007. An 11th century Beatus manuscript was found in their collection. It was completely unknown to the field of research until then and appended the 26 works known up to that time with an additional masterpiece. When and in what manner the manuscript came into the possession of the Sales Brother of Geneva remains a mystery. Yet it can be ascertained that this one was made in Southern Italy in the 11th century. The scriptorium of the Monte Cassino Abbey is speculated to be a possible point of origination. As a result the Geneva Beatus represents a further particularity, the rest of the 26 codices of this type are principally from northern Spain.

An Important Apocalypse Commentary of the Middle Ages

In northern Spain, Asturias to be precise, is also where the story of the so-called Beatus manuscripts begins. There the composer of the most famous apocalypse commentaries of the Middle Ages resided as a monk in the Monastery of San Martin de Turieno. To this day, the influential theologian Beatus of Liébana is known above all for his primary work, the Apocalypse commentary in 12 books originating from 776. Therein Beatus compiled the set pieces of various authors. The text of the Apocalypse of John was divided in 66 sections, each of which would be explained with a commentary by Beatus, a so-called explanation. The allegoric and symbolic images of they are supposed to make the Apocalypse more easily understood. The “end of the world” was expected in the year 800, which is probably also what induced Beatus to write his famous Apocalypse commentary.

Delicate Miniatures and Harmonious Script

The wonderful, fanciful, and often also horrible tales by John about the end of the world were illustrated in vivid images in the Geneva Beatus. For the most part, these miniatures are without frames and are integrated directly into the pages of text. The miniaturist colored the filigree drawings with delicate tones and in doing so leant the illustrations an impressive liveliness. The miniatures were also adorned with gold in many places, lending the splendid aura to the whole manuscript on 245 pages. The Beatus text was written down by the practiced scribes in Beneventan script and Carolingian miniscule in an evenly measured typeface and completed the uniform and harmonious impression of the Italian Beatus, which is housed today in Geneva.