On April 9, 1241, one of the most relevant battles between the expanding Mongol Empire and the European forces took place. The battlefield was that of Legnica, in the Silesian province of Poland; the invasion…
"The appearance of the Moon in the sky", illumination from the manuscript "Les premières Œuvres de JACQUES DEVAULX, pillote en la marine", ms. Français 150, f. 24v, 1583, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des manuscrits, Paris. «O,…
Today is Easter Monday, the day after Easter and a public holiday in many countries of the world, such as most of Europe, Quebec, and Australia, as well as large parts of Africa. In many of…
With Easter Sunday we conclude our brief look at some of the many illuminations depicting the events of the Holy Week. Easter day is, of course, the most important day of the Week - but…
"Harrowing of Hell", illumination from the manuscript "Speculum humanae salvationis", ms. Harley 2838, f. 33v, between 1485 and 1509, British Library, London. Although not officially described in any of the Gospels, the Harrowing of Hell is a…
"Crucifixion", historiated initial "T", fragment from a French Missal, 28.140, ca. 1400, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. On occasion of Good Friday, we present today the beautiful illumination above. The scene of the Crucifixion is historiated into…
"Last Supper", historiated initial "C", cutting from a Florentine Gradual, ms. M.653, no. 4 (II.25), between 1392 and 1399, Pierpont Morgan Library, Department of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, New York. The illumination we present on…
Palm Sunday (celebrated today by Western Christianity, while Orthodox Palm Sunday will fall exactly one week from now) marks the start of the Christian Holy Week. This week, then, Folia Magazine will take a look…