One of Armenia's contribution to the world of Art is said to be the illuminated manuscript. Extensive sets of pictures were used to illustrate manuscripts of the books of the Bible with the intended purpose of aiding to worship.
Very few examples are said to have survived which pre-date the Arab conquest in 640 and the subsequent repression of Christianity by the Muslins is acknowledged as having strongly affected the artistic activity, though from the end of the Arab occupation in the 9th century it flourished again.
The large number of this latter that survived till our days does testify to how valuable they were considered and how well guarded they were in times of war. Thought of as pledges for the salvation of both donors and creators the manuscripts are very seldom anonymous productions, including the names of those involved.
Having bought a book on those I couldn't help photographing some of its pages, so as to share them with the people who haven't had any direct or indirect access to them.
The Presentation of the three Kings - 6th and 7th centuries - Edshmiastin (left). The Mother of God with the Child - 989 - Edshmiastin (right).
Meeting Maria by the fountain - 10th century - Gospel. Cod. 283, page 3 (left). The Christening of Christ - 1033 Gospel. Cod. 283, page 4 ((right)
Four Apostles - 1018 - Gospel. Cod. 4804, page 7 - Talasha Monastery - donor - Kchot
The birth of Christ and the visitation of the three Kings - 1038 - Gospel. Cod. 6201, page 5 - donor - Taron (left). Crucifixion - 1038 - Gospel. Cod. 6201, page 7 - donor - Taron (right)
The Evangelist Mathews - 1053 - Gospel. Cod. 3733, page 3 - Monastery of Sandghkawank - donor - Arsharunik - Painter - Howhannes Sandghkawanezi
11th century - page of the Gospel, Cod. 963 (left). Title page of St; Marcus gospel - 1256 - Gospel from Seitun, Cod. 10450, - Monastery of Hromkla - painter - Toros Roslin (right).
Crucifixion - 11the century - Mughni Gospel, Cod.7736, page 19 - Arscharunik
Sailors throwing Jonas into the sea - 1286 - Taken from a book pertaining to Hetum II - Cod. 979, page 199.
The Annunciation - 1330 - Gospel. Cod. 2929, page5, Vaspurakan - painter - Kirakos (left). The sacrifice of Abraham and the Annunciation - 1319 - Gospel. Cod. 7456, page 4 - Arzkz, Vaspurakan - painter - Vardan (right).
The Mother of God - 1579 - Gospel. Cod. 5579, page 25 - Chisan, Vaspurakan - painter - Chatschatur Chisanzi.
(To be continued)
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