Bible Moralisée: Vienna, Oesterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Codex Vindobonensis 2554

Abstract

The latest addition to this series of `Manuscripts in minaiture\u27 is Codex Vindobonensis 2554, in Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna. It is one of the earliest surviving examples of a unique group of Bibles containing the most extensive cycles of biblical illustrations juxtaposed with theological and allegorical interpretative images. The Bible Moralisee was produced in the first half of the 13th century, and contains over 1000 illuminated medallions accompanied by textual extracts and commentaries that act as captions to the illustrations, revealing the relevance of the Bible to contemporary life. This volume reproduces all of the illuminated pages of the codex in full colour, and includes a commentary setting the work in its historical and artistic context