Laurentian Gospels

This Byzantine gospel book dating from the end of the 11th century is one of the most magnificent surviving manuscripts of the time
The four Gospels are preceded by three pages of canon tables and Eusebius' letter to Carpian
The manuscript is decorated with four portraits of the Evangelists, 285 narrative miniatures integrated into the text and opulent golden ornaments

Laurentian Gospels

MS Plut.6.23 Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana (Florence, Italy)

Description

Laurentian Gospels

The so-called Laurentian Gospels, named after its current location, the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence, is one of the most famous and most splendid preserved Byzantine manuscripts. In the late 11th century, this extraordinarily richly illuminated, magnificent codex was not only provided with four gilded portraits of evangelists by masterly hands, but also with 285 narrative picture strips, which are integrated into the single-column text. The book decoration also includes canon tables covered all over in gold and opulent headpieces at the beginning of the Gospels. Furthermore, certain text segments are frequently emphasised by golden initials or are even written entirely in chrysography. The canonically arranged Gospel texts are preceded by the only partially surviving canon tables and Eusebius' letter to Carpian. Who commissioned this remarkable piece of book history remains a mystery to this day.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Laurenzianisches Evangeliar
I Vangeli della Laurenziana
Laurentian Tetraevangelion
Laurentian Evangeliar
Tétraévangile de la Laurentienne
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 424 pages / 20.0 × 15.8 cm
Date: Late 11th century
Epochs: High Middle Ages
Style: Byzantine
Genre: Bibles / Gospels
Language: Greek
Armenian
Script: Greek Minuscule
Illustrations: 4 full-page miniatures, 4 ornamentally and gilded headings, 3 magnificently illuminated canon tables, 285 smaller narrative miniatures within the text
Content: Canon tables (incomplete), Eusebius' letter to Carpian, four Gospels
Previous Owners: Medici family