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The Beginning of the Four Gospels

The Beginning of the Four Gospels

Bohemia (Czech Republic) — First quater of the 15th century

A gold-gleaming fragment of the International Gothic style in Bohemia: flowing robes, elaborate foliate borders and splendid colors in a gospel manuscript richly decorated with gold leaf

  1. The court workshop of Emperor Wenceslas IV is one of the most prestigious production centers of the International Gothic style

  2. Just 14 folios of this magnificent Gospel manuscript have survived, featuring the beginnings of the four Gospels

  3. 4 full-page Evangelist portraits with radiant gold backgrounds and ornate foliate borders adorn the pages

The Beginning of the Four Gospels

MS lat. 9466 Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Los Cuatro Evangelios
Los Cuatro Evangelios Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
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  1. Description
  2. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
The Beginning of the Four Gospels

This luxurious Gospel manuscript was created in Bohemia in the first quarter of the 15th century. The 14 surviving folios with the beginnings of the four Gospels are magnificently illuminated and were evidently strongly influenced by the famous and widely celebrated book illumination in the international court workshop of Emperor Wenceslas IV. The biblical texts are each introduced by a full-page miniature. Here the evangelists appear as divinely inspired authors together with their symbols - angel, lion, bull and eagle - set against luminous backgrounds of polished and punched gold leaf. Opposite, the calligraphically consummate Gospels begin with elegant gold leaf initials on a delicately ornamented ground. Meanwhile, artful foliage tendrils twine in the margins, which are just as colorful as the miniatures. They are the habitat of dozens of small drôleries. A precious fragment of Gothic book illumination!

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Commencement des quatre Evangiles
Die vier Evangelien
Size / Format
28 pages / 31.5 x 22.5 cm
Date
First quater of the 15th century
Style
Gothic
Language
Latin
Illustrations
4 full-page miniatures and 4 decorated initials
Available facsimile editions:
Los Cuatro Evangelios
#1 Los Cuatro Evangelios
Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2024
Limited Edition: 505 copies
Facsimile Editions

#1 Los Cuatro Evangelios

Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2024
Los Cuatro Evangelios
Los Cuatro Evangelios Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2024
Limited Edition: 505 copies
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: Spanish
Facsimile Copy Available!
Ask for a Quote!
Inquire current price here or ask a different question
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