Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Apocalypse
England and France, London, between 1255 and 1260
MS M.524 fol. 1r

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Zone 1:
1) Evangelist, John: Scene, on Patmos -- Man, with dagger at belt, in ship with rope hanging from stern, pushes the ship away from shore with boat-hook.
2) Apocalypse: John, Calling -- Angel, pearled nimbus, with right hand points to scroll, inscribed QUOD VIDES SCRIBE I(N) LIBRO VITE ET MITTE SEPTE(M) ECCLESIIS based on Revelation 1:11, in left hand.
He descends from clouds toward John, inscribed SCS IOHANNES IN SPIRITU, pearled nimbus, bearded, facing the angel, seated on island of Patmos, inscribed PATHMOS INSULA, surrounded by sea of Bosphorus, inscribed BOSFORUM MARE.
Illustration of Revelation 1:9-11.
Zone 2:
1) Apocalypse: John to Seven Churches -- -- Seven nimbed angels, within seven churches, names inscribed, EPHESUS, SCMIRNA, PERGAMUS, TIATIRA, SARDIS, PHILADELPHIA, and LAODICIA. Six in profile, with hands raised, some joined, and the seventh orant; all as half figures. Two birds.
Background inscription from Commentary of Berengaudus, PER HAS SEPTEM ECCLESIAS UNA ECCLESIA DESIGNATUR CATHOLICA ET PER SEPTEM ANGELOS OMNES RECTORES EIUSDEM ECCLESIE FIGURANTUR.
Illustration of Revelation 1:11.
2) Apocalypse: Christ and Candlesticks -- John, pearled nimbus, name inscribed S. IOH(ANNE)S, kneels prostrate at feet of Christ, beardless, pearled crossed nimbus, sword in mouth. With seven stars on raised right hand, He holds in left hand scroll, inscribed NOLI TIMERE EGO SUM PRIMUS ET NOUISSIM(US) ET FUI MORTU(US) ET ECCE SUM UIUENS IN SECULA SECULORUM, based on Revelation 1:17, 18. He wears girdle about breast. Flanking Him are seven candles in candlesticks, inscribed SEPTEM CANDELABRA AUREA SEPTEM ECCLESIE SUNT.
Background inscriptions based on Revelation 1:14-16, CAPUD EIUS ET CAPILLI ERANT CANDIDI TANQUAM LANA ALBA ET TANQUAM NIX ET DE ORE EIUS GLADIUS UTRAQUE PARTE ACUTUS EXIEBAT.
ET OCULI EIUS UELUD FLAMMA IGNIS. ET FACIES EIUS SICUT SOL LUCET IN UIRTUTE SUA. ET PRECINCTUM AD MAMILLAS ZONA AUREA. ET HABEBAT IN DESTERA SUA STELLAS SEPTEM. ET PEDES EIUS SIMILES AURICALCO SICUT IN CAMINO ARDENTI.
Illustration of Revelation 1:12-20.
Framed illustrations.