Illuminated Manuscripts

Photograph of an illuminated manuscript, The opening of the Sixth Seal, from the Morgan Beatus, 10th Century.  Maintained by the Morgan Library and Museum, New York.  Image online, courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

As the 8th century approached its close, people thought the end of the world was near. Those fears prompted Beatus of Liébana to compile a Commentary on the Apocalypse.

In the centuries which followed, monks created many illustrations to accompany Beatus’ words, originally written at the Monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña, in the northern Spanish province of Burgos. About 32 manuscripts and fragments remain, spanning the 9th to the 13th centuries.

One of those illustrations - from a 12th century copy of the commentary - is "The Seventh Angel of the Apocalypse Proclaiming the Reign of the Lord." In that same commentary, illustrated in approximately 1150, we also find "Locusts Come upon the Earth." (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.)

When one considers how long it has been since monks illuminated manuscripts, it is nearly impossible to believe that thousands of stunning illustrations (often referred to as “miniatures”) survive.

Thanks to the generosity of universities, libraries and museums which have provided scans of these treasures (or their facsimiles) for on-line public review, we can examine artistic beauty from centuries past.

Author: Carole D. Bos, J.D.

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Original Release Date:  July, 2001
Updated Quarterly, or as Needed