Leo Bible

The oldest Byzantine picture Bible, made in the 9th century for Leo Patrikios, a Byzantine official
The precious biblical scenes are among the earliest pictorial depictions of the saints in Christendom
Leo Patrikios presents the Bible to the Virgin Mary, who then presents it to her son in an opening scene

Leo Bible

Reg. gr.1 B Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, State of the Vatican City)

Description

Leo Bible

The Leo Bible of Leo Patrikios was produced around the middle of the 9th century and is the oldest Byzantine picture Bible. The work contains 13 iconic miniatures in color with gold elements. The valuable bible scenes are among the earliest pictorial depictions of the saints in Christendom that still exist today.

Leo Bible

In the late 9th or early 10th century, Leo Patrikios, the highest chamberlain and treasurer of Byzantium, commissioned a biblical manuscript in Greek. The illustrated work is the earliest transmission of a Byzantine picture Bible. The manuscript, written in highly-valuable Greek script, contains 13 full page, iconic miniatures. The so-called Leo Bible is a true book treasure has survived the centuries.

Original Book Art

The Leo Bible originates from a court scriptorium in Constantinople. Gifted masters meticulously fleshed out the Greek script and valuable miniatures. The pictures are counted among the first painted bible scenes that were ever produced. The destruction of depictions of Christian saints in the course of the iconoclasm ended and the ban on Christian imagery had been lifted by the mid–9th century. The Bible pictures show graceful, iconic scenes from the lives of important biblical figures, a few miracles of Jesus Christ, and pictures of the veneration of Leo Patrikios.

Graceful Bible Scenes

The valuable miniatures of the work shine in a splendid variety of colors and are ennobled with expensive gold decoration. The opening scenes of the bible show an icon of the Virgin Mary, who in Greek is called Theotokos or “God-bearer”. In this scene, Leo Patrikios presents the Bible manuscript to the Mother of God, who presents it to her son in typically iconic fashion. This and other awe-inspiring pictures take the modern beholder back into a long-gone age. Today the Leo Bible is housed in the Vatican Library.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Bible of Leo the Patrician
Bibel des Patricius Leo
Regina Bible
Vatican Greek Bible
Bible of Queen Christine of Sweden
Codex reginensis Graecus 1
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 1,134 pages / 41.0 × 27.0 cm
Origin: Turkey
Date: Ca. 925–950
Epochs: Early Middle Ages
Style: Byzantine
Genre: Bibles / Gospels
Language: Greek
Script: Greek minuscule
Illustrations: 20 decorative pages, including 13 magnificent and gold decorated pages with full and half-page miniatures
Content: Surviving volume of the oldest Byzantine picture Bible with the earliest pictorial depictions of the saints in Christendom
Patron: Leo the Patrician (Leo Patrikios)
Previous Owners: Queen Christine of Sweden (1626–89)

Available facsimile editions:

Detail Picture

Leo Bible

Eleazar before Antiochus

The story of Hanukah is contained in the Book of 1 Maccabees and takes place in the aftermath of the conquests of Alexander the Great, when the East was divided among the Hellenistic kingdoms. Judea fell under the rule of the Seleucids, who had respected and protected Jewish laws and customs until the rule of Antiochus IV, who initiated a wave of harsh persecutions that resulted in the Maccabean Revolt of 167-160 BC. The learned man Eleazar is shown here with his seven brothers and his mother.

Single Page

Leo Bible

Dedication Miniature

The miniatures of this 10th century Byzantine manuscript are strongly influenced by classical artistic forms from Late Antiquity, as is evident in the splendid depiction at hand. The full-page miniature is surrounded by an explanatory Greek text in the simple orange frame, and on the architecture in the background, which is also adorned by draperies.

A long-haired, beardless man wearing a red cloak trimmed in gold presents the codex to the Virgin Mary, who is dressed in deep purple with a golden halo and dwarfs the cleric, indicating her importance. The Virgin Mary’s role as intercessor between the faithful and her divine son is reiterated here, it is implied that she will pass the codex on to Christ, who appears in the upper right corner.

Facsimile Editions

#1 Die Bibel des Patricius Leo

Belser Verlag – Zurich, 1988

Publisher: Belser Verlag – Zurich, 1988

Limited Edition: 980 copies

Binding: Embossed leather with two clasps

Commentary: 1 volume by Suzy Dufrenne, Paul Canart, Cyril Mango, and Irmgard Hutter
Language: German, French

1 volume: This facsimile is not complete. The 20 illuminated pages are reproduced. 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.

Price Category: €€ (1,000€ - 3,000€)

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