Our Resident Bibliomaniac

jothelibrarian:

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day shows the assumption of the blessed virgin Mary. It is from a French book of hours in the collection of the Bibliothèque Renaissance de Nancy. The library has recently posted some beautiful images on Flickr.

Image source: MS 1874, Bibliotheque Renaissance de Nancy. Creative Commons licensed via Flickr.

caravaggista:

Theodulf’s apse mosaic at Germingy-des-Pres depicting the Ark of the Covenant and four cherubim.

As you gaze upon this inner sanctuary [or holy propitiatorium], beholder,
And see the shimmering Ark of God’s covenant,Perceiving these things, and prepared to beset the Thunderer with prayers,
Add, I beg you, Theodulf’s name to your invocations.

- Ann Freeman and Paul Meyvaert, Gesta, 2001

jothelibrarian:

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is a lovely marginal illustration of a stag. The book is a Hebrew manuscript produced in Italy sometime between 1441 and 1467. Further details here.

Image source: British Library MS Additional 15423. Image declared as public domain on the British Library website.

jothelibrarian:

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is a magnificent knight! This lovely Italian manuscript was almost certainly made for the King of Naples, and presented to him around 1335-40. The illuminator was a Florentine master called Pacino di Buonaguida.

Image source: British Library MS Royal 6 E IX. Image declared as pubic domain on the British Library website.

jothelibrarian:

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is known as the ‘Album of the House of Savoy’. This illustration is, I believe, the arms of Savoy, and is the first full-page illumination in the book.

Image source: Walters Museum MS W. 464. Creative Commons licensed via the Walters Museum website.

jothelibrarian:

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is a stunning book binding depicting the crucifixion. According to the caption on Flickr, the book dates from the twelfth century, but this binding is much later. Can you spot the engraved 15—-49 above the cross? This suggests the binding was produced around that time. Isn’t it beautiful?

Image source: Creative Commons licensed by e-codices via Flickr.

caravaggista:

Christ from the Godescalc Evangelistary, 781-3.

jothelibrarian:

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day shows an emperor kneeling before a pope. Showcasing the grisaille style, using shades of black and white, it was produced in the low countries but became a part of the English royal collection by 1535.

Image source: British Library MS Royal 14 D I. Image declared as public domain via the British Library website.

jothelibrarian:

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is the same book we looked at yesterday, this time another page but featuring more cardinals. I wonder if the last five have made it to Rome yet?

According to the British Library this page shows:

Miniature of the cardinal legates kneeling before the king; miniature of the Cardinal of Beauvais giving up the seals as Chancellor of France. 

Image source: British Library MS Royal 20 C VII. Image declared as public domain on the British Library website.

medieval:

Miniature of Pope Gregory XII. 15th C.

Pope Gregory XII (1406-1415), resigned in 1415 in order to end the Western Schism, which had reached the point where there were three claimants to the Papal throne: Roman Pope Gregory XII, Avignon Antipope Benedict XIII, and Pisan Antipope John XXIII. Before resigning he formally convened the already existing Council of Constance and authorized it to elect his successor. (via wikipedia)