Gulbenkian Apocalypse

Gulbenkian Apocalypse

In the 13th and 14th centuries in England, there arose a series of precious and artistically valuable illuminated manuscripts about the Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, the last book of the Bible. The Gulbenkian Apocalypse is one of the most beautiful editions of these manuscripts. The work is adorned with a great number of high quality miniatures against a gold background. It was once owned by Pope Clement IX (1600–69) and found itself in the possession of several other prominent art lovers. Today, the magnificent manuscript is housed in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, wherefrom the codex derives its name.

An Interesting Picture Cycle

The Gulbenkian Apocalypse adorns a picture cycle of 152 half-page miniatures. 78 of these illustration visually depict the history of the end of the world and the Day of Judgement. 74 additional scenes illustrate short excerpts of the rather lengthy, and beloved in 13th century English apocalypse manuscripts, Berengaudus Commentary. All of the images, in their various colors and forms, were depicted in a golden, rectangular frame. While the depictions of the biblical text emphasize the role of John as a visionary, the illustrations of the commentary stress the meaning of the sermon and of episcopal authority. The miniatures of the Gulbenkian Codex clearly eclipses the pictures from other illuminated Apocalypse manuscripts. The qualitatively valuable illuminations are in an excellent state of preservation, so that today we can still wonder at these gorgeous pictures in their full splendor.

Prominent Previous Owners

In the 17th century, the Gulbenkian Apocalypse found itself in the personal library of Pope Clement IX. The Italian art collector Cesare Battaglini, who was married to a descendant of Clement IX, is believed have purchased the manuscript in the first half of the 19th century for a hefty price. Between 1899 and 1920, the manuscript found itself in the possession of the English newspaper magnate and book collector Henry Yates Thompson. Last but not least, Calouste Gulbenkian of Portugal acquired the valuable codex for his museum in Lisbon.