The History of Alexander of Macedonia

The History of Alexander of Macedonia

This Armenian manuscript was likely made in Cilicia sometime in the second half of the 14th century. Stories of Alexander the Great were a popular subject for Armenian literature and a means of exploring the exotic and foreign for these isolated mountain dwellers. As indicated by various notes in the text, it is the work of a single hand – Deacon Nerses. This was not all that unusual in Eastern Christianity, which did not tend to specialize between scribe and miniaturist. Simple red frames surround the miniatures, which are somewhat detached from the text, and thus are equipped with helpful captions. Visual motifs and prototypes are often recycled for different scenes in order to meet the demands of such a richly-illustrated commission with so many scenes. This is particularly true with regard to battles scenes or depictions of the army on horseback. Biblical motifs were often adapted as well, e.g. a Nativity of Christ adapted into a Birth of Alexander, Christ among the Doctors becomes Alexander among the Wise. This also served to imbue the pagan Alexander with all the trappings of a great Christian paladin. Nonetheless, the miniatures are a testimony to the scriptoria of Armenia, which display both unique characteristics as well as a distinct awareness and imitation of the Byzantine style. A bright color palette that contrasted luminous oranges and red with cool blues and greens is present throughout, and the figures have powerful gestures and expressive facial expressions. This is truly a rare gem of illumination!