Vienna Genesis

Vienna Genesis

The co-called Vienna Genesis is one of the most significant treasures of the Austrian National Library in Vienna: a primary work of Byzantine illumination and one of the oldest surviving biblical manuscripts. The biblical text of the Book of Genesis is wonderfully illustrated with 48 colorful miniatures in this 6th century manuscript. With its purple pages and Greek text written in precious silver ink, these high-quality early bible illustrations present the manuscript as a unique treasure of illumination history!

The Work of a Group of Miniaturists

The gorgeously powerful colors of the miniatures, which handsomely come into their own against the dark-purple background, immediately enchant every beholder with their allure. Several masterful illuminators were involved in the creation of this splendid primary work of Byzantine illumination. They can be distinguished by their various styles and are collectively referred to as the Masters of the Vienna Genesis in research.

Fascinating Illumination from Late Antiquity

They created 48 luminous miniatures illustrating the text of the Book of Genesis. From the Fall of Man to the expulsion from Paradise, these depictions deal with the biblical stories of Noah, Abraham, Lot, and other figures on up to Joseph. The miniatures, under their respective texts, are sometimes ordered into to registers stacked one above the other and are mostly placed on the page without frames. They show gorgeous depictions of human figures as well as animals (e.g. the scene of Noah’s Ark), landscapes, and architecture. As a result, the successful attempt at imitating nature as closely as possible is clearly recognizable. The miniatures are considered to be true masterpieces of ancient illumination!

A Fragile Treasure

The famous Codex theol. gr. 31 of the Austrian National Library occupies an outstanding position in the history of illumination as one of the few surviving testimonies of illumination from late-antiquity. In addition to this aspect as an attestation of early bible illustration, the Vienna Genesis is also one of the oldest surviving biblical manuscripts. The manuscript with its Greek text is a 6th century work, probably originating from Syria. Due to the very fragile and vulnerable condition of the extremely precious manuscript, the 48 purple sheets written with silver ink are stored individually between acrylic glass plates.

In the Imperial Art Collection

The late-antique manuscript, which probably circulated in Italian for a time, and was in the possession of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm in the 17th century. This he bequeathed in his will to Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I in 1662. It came to the court library from the imperial art collection in 1664 and today is part of the manuscript collection of the Austrian National Library.