Ramon Llull's Tree of the Philosophy of Love
The love of god, brotherly love, and their connection to knowledge are the pillars of this theological-philosophical work by Ramon Llull, one of the most important scholars of 13th and early–14th century Spain. This influential Catalan work is handed down for posterity in a historically valuable 14th century manuscript and affords an inside view into the exciting idea world of Ramon Llull to this day!
Ramon Llull's Tree of the Philosophy of Love
Ramon Llull (1232–1316) is one of the most significant Spanish philosophers of the Middle Ages. Born on the Balearic island of Mallorca, Llull originated from a noble family that enjoyed the best of relationships with the royal court. At first, Ramon Llull led a worldly life and was active as a poet. In the year 1232, he experienced a vision of Christ crucified, which left a strong Christian impression on him for the rest of his life. As a famous scholar, Ramon Llull was in the service of James II, taught at Sorbonne, and undertook numerous trips through the Arab world, making him the founder of oriental studies in the West. Llull was honored by the people as a martyr after he was stoned to death in Algeria, where he was active as a missionary.
An Allegory for Christian Love
Ramon Llull left behind a great work of literature and philosophy. One of his writings originated from the year 1289 during his second sojourn in Paris. It bore the Latin title Arbor philosophiae amoris, the Tree of the Philosophy of Love. This work is concerned with the theme of love from a Christian perspective, the love between God and the faithful. Another important point in the Tree of the Philosophy of Love is the connection between knowledge and love. These theologically-oriented thoughts from his philosophy are recorded here in a wonderful way.
A Tree and its Elements
Ramon Llull oriented his text on the metaphor of a tree and its parts. Divided into seven chapters, which are each in turn divided into three sub-chapters, the work speaks of the roots, trunk, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Thus, the Tree of the Philosophy of Love contains philosophical-theological sections, proverbs, and novelistic depictions on the theme of God, brotherly love, and the connection of the way of knowledge with the way of love.
The Precious Catalonian Manuscript
A precious manuscript of this work is stored in the Biblioteca Diocesana von Palma de Mallorca. Originating in the 14th century, it belongs among the most direct textual witnesses of the work in the Catalan language. Alongside the text, the manuscript contains seven gorgeous large-format picture pages with depictions of schematic trees and figurative illustrations. The text is also lavishly designed with gorgeously colored initials.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Arbre de Filosofia de Amor de Ramon Llull
Baum der Philosophie der Liebe von Ramon Llull - Size / Format
- 113 pages / 24.0 × 18.2 cm
- Origin
- Spain
- Date
- Fist quarter of the 14th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Language
- Script
- Gothic Textura Rotunda
- Illustrations
- 6 full-page miniatures of the tree of the philosophy of love
- Content
- 3 works by Ramón Llull: Arbol de Filosofia (pp. 1-49), Canto de Ramon (pp. 49-50), and Libro del gentil y los tres sabios (pp. 51-113)
Ramon Llull's Tree of the Philosophy of Love
“R” Initial
Although extremely expensive, red and blue ink were popular for creating initials in Gothic manuscripts. The artist has created a wonderfully patterned background, but much of the blue ink has faded, leaving the frame incomplete. A human face appears to have been part of the marginal décor, but is obscured by a stain. This intricate “R” initial is part of an incipit on the opening page of the manuscript and appears opposite the allegorical tree for which the work is named.

Ramon Llull's Tree of the Philosophy of Love
Tree of the Philosophy of Love
This is the miniature for which the manuscript is named and illustrates its central themes and structure. Seated around the uppermost leaf labelled Deus at the top of the page, we see the French Royal Court, for whose consumption Ramon Llull’s work was intended. Despite its wear, the high artistic quality of the image is still evident, especially with regard to the figures.
Pictured beneath the tree, Llull is standing across from a lady who is an allegorical figure representing the Philosophy of Love. She complains that her followers are fewer than those of her sister, the Philosophy of Knowledge. Llull, who cannot conceive of knowledge or understanding without love, thus undertakes to unite science and love into a treatise, which she is holding.

#1 Arbre de Filosofia de Amor de Ramon Llull
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