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Armenian illuminated manuscripts
A collection of the best known and most characteristic illuminated manuscripts of the Armenian Church
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Armenian illuminated manuscripts form one of the most beautiful traditions of the Medieval Armenian art. The earliest surviving examples date from the 5th century, following the invention of the Armenian alphabet by Masrop Mashtots Մեսրոպ Մաշտոց (362-440). Very few fragments dated from the 5th-7th centuries have been survived. The oldest preserved in its entirety dates from the 9th century. 13th-14th centuries form the golden age of the Armenian calligraphy. Among the greatest Armenian miniaturists is Toros Roslin Թորոս Ռոսլին (1210-1270), who lived and worked in the Armenian kingdom of CIlicia.
Armenian Illuminated manuscripts are remarkable for their festive designs based on the Armenian religious life and culture. lluminated manuscripts mostly recount the Holy Bible, in particular the Holy Gospels, as well as many aspects of the religious life and teachings of the Armenian Church. Most of the manuscripts were written and illustrated by monks. Armenian monasteries have been for centuries the centres of religious art and literature. Most of those manuscripts are exquisitely elaborated, covered in gilt and brilliant colors. It was a common belief that the beauty of the illustration could refresh the human mind and spirit.
Of the 31,000 Armenian manuscripts currently listed around the world, about 10,000 of them are ornamented, with 5,000 – 7,000 of them containing miniatures. Most of these manuscripts are preserved in the Matenadaran Institute of Yerevan (more than ten thousand manuscripts and fragments of manuscripts).
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» The Presentation of our Lord at the Temple
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple & the Baptism, 1050, Melitene, Sebastia, ms974 Matenadaran collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Hovhannes Sandghkavanetsi, 1060, Mugni Gospels, ms7736 Matenadaran collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Hagop Markare, Haghbat Gospel, 1211, Horomos monastery, ms6288 Matenadaran collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Toros Roslin, 1262, W.539 Walters collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, Lectionary of Hetum II, Cilicia, 1286, ms979 Matenadaran collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, the Massacre of the Innocents, by Stepanos of Artskeh, Vaspurakan, 1303, ms4052 Matenadaran collaction
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Toros Taronatsi, 1323, Gladzor monastery, ms6289 Matenadaran collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Sargis Pidzak, 1336, Sis, Cilicia, ms5786 Matenadaran collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by monk Avag, 1337, Agarak monastery, ms212 Matenadaran collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Aristakes Tzeruni, Aghtamar Gospels, 1391, Aghtamar, lake Van, ms8772 Matenadaran collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Margar for the Monastery of St. George at Mokk’ at the order of Bishop Sion, 1434, ms624 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Hovhannes Vardapet, 1455, Hizan monastery, W.543 Walters collection
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The presentation of our Lord at the Temple, by Mesrop Khzanetsi, 1609, The Bodleian Library
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The Presentation of the Lord at the Temple, 1678, Constantinople, by priest Yakob Pēligratci, commissioned by Clav, son of Nawasard, as dedication to his sons, Astuacatur and Sahak, W.547 Walters collection
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» Jesus Christ among the Doctors
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Jesus Christ among the Doctors, by Toros Roslin, 1262, W.539 Walters collection
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"I Confess With Faith" Saint Nerses Shnorhali - the Gracious (1102 - 1173) "ՀԱՎԱՏՈՎ ԽՈՍՏՈՎԱՆԻՄ" Ս. ՆԵՐՍԵՍԻ ՇՆՈՐՀԱԼԻՈՅ 