&Manuscript Illumination Catalogue

Manuscript Illumination Catalogue

Browse illuminated manuscripts and their miniatures, historiated initials and other decoration, mainly from the Dutch Koninklijke Bibliotheek and the Museum of the Book, each picture described and indexed by subject with Iconclass.

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Harrowing of Hell: Christ leaves hell and liberates the soulsKB Ms 133 H 31, f. 141vThe adoration of the Christ-child by the MagiKB Ms 128 G 32, f. 81vIsaac carries the wood for the sacrificeKB Ms 133 M 131, f. 64rThe Last Judgement: Christ on a rainbow raises the dead in the presence of Mary and St. John the Baptist; trumpeting angelsKB Ms 76 F 7, f. 112vChrist teaching his disciplesKB Ms 70 E 5, f. 3rReason, Righteousness and Sincerity teaching some womenKB Ms 131 C 26, f. 22v
413manuscripts
11,460illuminations
9,913Iconclass notations
7holding institutions

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The Agony in the Garden: Christ prays in GethsemaneThe Agony in the Garden: Christ prays in GethsemaneKB Ms 75 G 2, f. 64vMan of Sorrows: Christ in his tomb showing his wounds, with Mary and St. JohnMan of Sorrows: Christ in his tomb showing his wounds, with Mary and St. JohnKB Ms 76 G 13, f. 59rAdam spading the soil, while Eve stands spinning.Adam spading the soil, while Eve stands spinning.British Library Cotton Nero C IV, f. 2December: a man and a woman slaughtering a pigDecember: a man and a woman slaughtering a pigKB Ms 133 D 11, f. 13rSt. Veronica holding up the veil with the image of Christ (Vera Icon); IHS monogramSt. Veronica holding up the veil with the image of Christ (Vera Icon); IHS monogramKB Ms 133 F 9, f. 18vSt. Paul hands over his epistle to St. Timothy of EphesusSt. Paul hands over his epistle to St. Timothy of EphesusKB Ms 132 F 21, f. 565vCanontable: table correlating the four Gospels devised by Eusebius of CaesareaCanontable: table correlating the four Gospels devised by Eusebius of CaesareaKB Ms 76 E 17, f. 6vSt. Paul holding a scrollSt. Paul holding a scrollKB Ms 69 B 10, f. 172rSt. Andrew holding the X-shaped crossSt. Andrew holding the X-shaped crossKB Ms 76 F 14, f. 111vDominican monk and studentsDominican monk and studentsMMW Ms 10 A 13, f. 1rLevite and angel (1st of 2)Levite and angel (1st of 2)KB Ms 78 D 41, f. 1rAmant, in his dream, arrives at a walled Garden of Love guarded by Hate, Perfidy and Viciousness (4th of 4)Amant, in his dream, arrives at a walled Garden of Love guarded by Hate, Perfidy and Viciousness (4th of 4)MMW Ms 10 B 29, f. 1r

Featured illumination

Feast of Job's children (1st of 3)

Feast of Job's children (1st of 3)

miniature MMW Ms 10 A 15, f. 39r

Petrus Comestor, Historia scholastica (fragment). Biblia pauperum. And other texts · France; c. 1450-1455

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Titles A–Z

An alphabetical index of every manuscript by title.

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Iconclass index

Every Iconclass notation used, in plain language, with the illuminations that use it.

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Iconclass index →
St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra1Religion and Magic1,564 notations · 9,367 illuminationsHein van Aken dreaming of a rose2Nature1,290 notations · 3,648 illuminationsDiana, guardian of chastity, with her maidens3Human Being, Man in General1,066 notations · 6,946 illuminationsSamuel anoints David4Society, Civilization, Culture1,690 notations · 14,916 illuminationsFortune turning her Wheel5Abstract Ideas and Concepts185 notations · 298 illuminationsHercules goes to Spain to secure the cattle of Geryon6History628 notations · 1,044 illuminationsThe Great Flood: the ark of Noah floating on the waters, the dove returns with an olive branch7Bible2,120 notations · 7,037 illuminationsThe herdsman Faustulus discovers Romulus and Remus8Literature288 notations · 472 illuminationsFour world epochs: Adam and Eve; Moses and Aaron with the tables of the law; Holy Spirit descending upon a priest; Christ and God the Father9Classical Mythology and Ancient History1,081 notations · 1,682 illuminations