Moving away from Gothic English Apocalypses: full-page and mysterious miniatures in the transition to the Renaissance
Flemish Apocalypse
Flanders — 1400–1410
Flemish Apocalypse
The Whore of Babylon
The Whore of Babylon or Great Harlot is a symbolic female figure representing an evil kingdom in service to the Beast: “So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.” (Rev. 17:3-4)
Flemish Apocalypse
- Apocalipsis Flamenco
- Flämische Apokalypse
- Apocalisse Fiamminga
- Apocalypse Flamande
- Apocalipse Flamengo
Short Description
The Flemish Apocalypse arose between 1400 and 1410 in Belgian Flanders and is found today in the French National Library. The anonymous illuminator made 23 high-quality, gold-adorned Illustrations for the manuscript. These reflect the traditional style of the Apocalypse manuscript of that time, and yet they also contain unique new stylistic characteristics.
Flemish Apocalypse
The Belgian region of Flanders was a stronghold of medieval book art. The coveted illuminated manuscripts from Flemish studios were exported across all of Europe. The Flemish Apocalypse is a work from the Belgian school that continues to astound its beholders to this day. The unique manuscript in the Gothic style arose between 1400 and 1410 and contains breath-taking miniatures, which have been ennobled through gold leaf embellishment. The famous Belgian scholar and mystic Lubertus Hautscilt is considered to be the spiritual father of this apocalypse.
The Genre of the Apocalypse
The Book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible and is also known as the Apocalypse. In this biblical story the visions of John about Judgement Day and the end of the world are thematized. It is described, how sinners will be punished in Hell and righteous people will be rewarded in Heaven. The artistically valuable depictions of the Flemish Apocalypse are counted among the greatest eschatological pictorial visions of the Late Middle Ages.
Special Iconography
The miniatures of the Flemish Apocalypse give evidence to the extraordinary talent of the anonymous master. One the one hand, they maintain the typical style of the Apocalypse tradition, nevertheless they exhibit completely innovative characteristics. Every single miniature exhibits a particular visionary character, and visually echoes the mysterious atmosphere of the text. The special characteristics of the miniatures demonstrate the religious mentality of Flanders at that time. The outstanding manuscript marks the transition from the art of the Gothic to the Renaissance and an artistic highpoint of realistic painting in the southern Netherlands.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Apocalipsis Flamenco
Flämische Apokalypse
Apocalisse Fiamminga
Apocalypse Flamande
Apocalipse Flamengo - Size / Format
- 50 pages / 34.0 × 25.0 cm
- Origin
- Flanders
- Date
- 1400–1410
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 23 full-page illuminations decorated with gold
Flemish Apocalypse
Son of Man / Seven Churches
The helmsman in a red hood from the previous miniature is seen pushing off after having brought John to the island of Patmos. John is lying down as an angel brings him an empty scroll on which to write his Revelation. The seven churches of Asia are represented by Gothic buildings in a semi-circle around Christ with John kneeling at his right hand.
“And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; … He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” (Rev. 1:13–14, 16).
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Flemish Apocalypse“
Apocalipsis Flamenco
- Publisher
- M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2005
- Limited Edition
- 987 copies
- Binding
- Deep red leather with leather case
- Commentary
-
1 volume (224 pages) by Jos Koldeweij and Nelly de Hommel
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.
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