Illumination
The Aberdeen Bestiary
Each vivid image of more than 200 folios is accompanied by helpful commentary; you may also wish to search for words and phrases, or use the index if you know which page you'd like to view. The original 1996 edition is also available.
Each vivid image of more than 200 folios is accompanied by helpful commentary; you may also wish to search for words and phrases, or use the index if you know which page you'd like to view. The original 1996 edition is also available.
Bibliotheca Schoenbergensis
An exhibition from the Collection of Lawrence J. Schoenberg at the University of Pennsylvania Library includes many samples of pages from books of nobility, hours, devotions, and more.
An exhibition from the Collection of Lawrence J. Schoenberg at the University of Pennsylvania Library includes many samples of pages from books of nobility, hours, devotions, and more.
Book of Hours Illuminated for the Daughter of Francis I
Description and 20 excellent scans of the gorgeous 16th-century manuscript, which is on file at the Spalding University Library.
Description and 20 excellent scans of the gorgeous 16th-century manuscript, which is on file at the Spalding University Library.
Digitial Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts
This searchable catalogue at the British Library is still growing, but it already includes descriptions of and selected images from 285 manuscripts (with thousands more to come). Several usful tours are also available. Excellent resource.
This searchable catalogue at the British Library is still growing, but it already includes descriptions of and selected images from 285 manuscripts (with thousands more to come). Several usful tours are also available. Excellent resource.
Illuminating the Renaissance
The British Library offers a nice exhibit of its Flemish manuscripts from the 15th and 16th centuries in timeline form. The "larger images" open up in a separate window; the "full size" images will open in the same window, and are simply splendid.
The British Library offers a nice exhibit of its Flemish manuscripts from the 15th and 16th centuries in timeline form. The "larger images" open up in a separate window; the "full size" images will open in the same window, and are simply splendid.
The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux
Very nice display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art examines the tiny manuscript created by Jean Pucelle in the fourteenth century. The five primary divisions of the prayer book are examined through photographs and enlightening background info.
Very nice display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art examines the tiny manuscript created by Jean Pucelle in the fourteenth century. The five primary divisions of the prayer book are examined through photographs and enlightening background info.
Illumination in the Late Middle Ages
Brief yet informative overview of the process of illuminating manuscripts and the craftsmen who created this quintessential medieval art.
Brief yet informative overview of the process of illuminating manuscripts and the craftsmen who created this quintessential medieval art.
Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
Beautiful, vivid scans of all 201 plates, with explanatory text and several versions of each plate in different sizes, at the Christus Rex Online Museum.
Beautiful, vivid scans of all 201 plates, with explanatory text and several versions of each plate in different sizes, at the Christus Rex Online Museum.
Life, Death and Miracles of Saint Jerome
A complete set of vivid miniatures from the late 15th- or early 16th-century French book, at Brigham Young University.
A complete set of vivid miniatures from the late 15th- or early 16th-century French book, at Brigham Young University.
The Lindisfarne Gospels
Through its "Turning the Pages" technology, the British Library offers this splendid 8th century edition of the Gospels for your perusal. An accompanying tour offers background info on the book's origin and meaning.
Through its "Turning the Pages" technology, the British Library offers this splendid 8th century edition of the Gospels for your perusal. An accompanying tour offers background info on the book's origin and meaning.
Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts
This extensive site at Koninklijke Bibliotheek (the National Library of the Netherlands) is full of marvelous images that you can search or browse by subject. Includes a neat feature that allows you to move a zoomed image). Also available in Dutch.
This extensive site at Koninklijke Bibliotheek (the National Library of the Netherlands) is full of marvelous images that you can search or browse by subject. Includes a neat feature that allows you to move a zoomed image). Also available in Dutch.
Mystere dou jour dou jugement
Dozens of images from the manuscript of the 14th-century mystery play are displayed at Brigham Young University. A plot summary is also provided.
Dozens of images from the manuscript of the 14th-century mystery play are displayed at Brigham Young University. A plot summary is also provided.
Printing: Renaissance and Reformation
Exhibition at the Thomas Cooper Library for History 101: European Civilization. The eight "islands" present selections of manuscript images, including some illuminations.
Exhibition at the Thomas Cooper Library for History 101: European Civilization. The eight "islands" present selections of manuscript images, including some illuminations.
The Tyndale New Testament
Very nice image and some background history on the rare volume at the British Library. Click the graphic for a splendid larger version in a pop-up window.
Very nice image and some background history on the rare volume at the British Library. Click the graphic for a splendid larger version in a pop-up window.
University of Kentucky Special Collections
Dozens of images from color manuscripts of the medieval era with dates and sources. Each blue-outlined image links to a much larger and especially vivid version.
Dozens of images from color manuscripts of the medieval era with dates and sources. Each blue-outlined image links to a much larger and especially vivid version.