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Byzantine Gospels of the late 13th century
Byzantine Empire · late 13th century · Greek · W.526
A Gospel book from the Byzantine world of the late 13th century, made outside Constantinople: its stocky figures and muted colours are those of a provincial workshop. Each Gospel opens with the Evangelist on the left and an ornamental headpiece on the right. An icon-like picture of the Virgin was added at the front, and the book keeps an early leather binding, probably of the 16th century.
7 pages
Pages
fol. 1v · The Virgin holds the Child cheek to cheek, painted like an icon on a panel. The picture was probably added in the 14th century, for prayer; the silk curtain sewn above it once covered it.Walters Art Museum · W.526 · CC0 
fol. 3v · Matthew writing at his desk on a gold ground; much of the paint at the bottom has flaked away, showing the bare parchment.Walters Art Museum · W.526 · CC0 
fol. 4r · The first page of Matthew under a square headpiece of green and gold roundels; the words begin «The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ».Walters Art Museum · W.526 · CC0 Matt 1:1This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
fol. 75r · The first page of Mark, with the title in a frame of green and gold leaves: «The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ».Walters Art Museum · W.526 · CC0 Mark 1:1This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
fol. 123r · The first page of Luke under a horseshoe-shaped headpiece of red, green and blue ornament.Walters Art Museum · W.526 · CC0 Luke 1:1Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
fol. 201v · John, an old man with a long beard, writes at his desk, a red cloth hanging behind him.Walters Art Museum · W.526 · CC0 
fol. 202r · The first page of John under a frame of interlaced vines: «In the beginning was the Word».Walters Art Museum · W.526 · CC0 John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Walters Art Museum, Baltimore · images CC0, published by OPenn (University of Pennsylvania) · the texts are ours
Bible manuscripts
