New Testament

The specimen of the New Testament from the Vatican Library is decorated with nearly 100 miniatures
The miniatures visualize the dramatic events of the life of Jesus Christ in a most outstanding way
Even the text pages of this gorgeous codex are ennobled with richly decorated initials of gold and silver

New Testament

Vat. lat. 39 Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, State of the Vatican City)

Description

New 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.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Neues Testament
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 348 pages / 20.0 × 15.0 cm
Origin: Italy
Date: First half of the 13th century
Epochs: High Middle Ages
Style: Gothic
Genre: Bibles / Gospels
Language: Latin
Script: Gothic minuscule
Illustrations: Nearly 100 miniatures

Available facsimile editions:

Detail Picture

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)

Single Page

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.

Facsimile Editions

#1 Neues Testament

Belser Verlag – Zurich, 1984

New Testament – Vat. lat. 39 – Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, State of the Vatican City) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

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

1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) 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: €€€ (3,000€ - 7,000€)

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