A Gothic picture Bible from the Vatican Library: almost 100 miniatures in gold and silver from the life and works of Christ
New Testament
Italy — First half of the 13th century
New Testament
Jesus Walking on Water
Jesus walking upon the Sea of Galilee as though it were a grass field is one of the most important and iconic episodes in the Gospels. This extraordinary demonstration of Jesus’ power over nature solidified the faith of the Twelve Apostles. “Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’.” (Jn 6:18-20)
New Testament
- Neues Testament
The New Testament, which is found today in the Vatican Library, originates from the first half of the 13th century. The outstanding manuscript is decorated with nearly 100 magnificent miniatures and countless initials of silver and gold.
New Testament
The New Testament of the Bible forms, along with the Old Testament, the Word of God and the foundation of the Christian faith. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is proclaimed to be the son of god and the messiah come for the salvation of Israel and the cosmos. The scripts of the New Testament were recorded initially in Greek and later in Latin. An outstanding illuminated Latin version of the Testament can be found today in the Vatican Library. This codex stands out among all the treasures of the Vatican Library and still astounds the beholder.
Incomprehensible Richness of Design
The New Testament of the Vatican Library originates from the first half of the 13th century. It is a manuscript in lavish Gothic style. The Latin text was illustrated with nearly 100 vivid miniatures. The colored pictures, ornamented with gold and silver visualize the dramatic events of the life of Jesus Christ and completed the handwritten text in a most outstanding way. Every page of the text contains color and gold decorations. Where no prominent miniature fills the page, text passages are ennobled with richly decorated initials of gold and silver. This is an unimaginably valuable codex.
- Alternative Titles
- Neues Testament
- Size / Format
- 348 pages / 20.0 × 15.0 cm
- Origin
- Italy
- Date
- First half of the 13th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Script
- Gothic minuscule
- Illustrations
- Nearly 100 miniatures
New Testament
Crucifixion
Here was have an Italian Gothic miniature exhibiting a strong Byzantine influence, relying on the power of gesture and iconography to balance its static and solemn composition. The miniature’s background is composed of alternating fields of burnished silver and gold. Furthermore, the angels’ halos alternate depending upon the background, while Mary’s and Joseph’s are colored and patterned.
This miniature is presented in such a way as to make it seem like the frame and other figures are being held up behind Christ crucified. The cross and specifically the hill of Golgotha stand outside of the frame of green and red, creating a strange sense of perspective that causes the eye to wander back and forth across the page.
Neues Testament Facsimile
Neues Testament Facsimile
- Publisher
- Belser Verlag – Zurich, 1984
- Limited Edition
- 600 copies
- Binding
- Goat skin
- Commentary
-
1 volume (120 pages) by Giovanni Morello and Ulrich Stockmann
Language: German - 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.
Miniatures with a polished gold background in the Byzantine style: a French picture Bible from the 12th century with criticism of the Crusades
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