Decorated initials from BL Harley 2799, f. 5
Detail of decorated initials 'B'(eatus) at the beginning of the Psalms in three versions, with foliate decoration, clasps, and a dog or quadruped. Image taken from f. 5 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to R... More
Poisoning of John the Evangelist from BL Add 32058, f. 2 (b), f. 2 (b)
Historiated initial 'V' of the Poisoning of John the Evangelist, with four men kneeling before the saint who drinks from a chalice of poisoned wine. Image taken from f. 2 (b) of Cutting from a choir book. Writt... More
Christ Disputing with the Merchants from BL Add 18196, f. 49, f. 49
Historiated initial 'D' or 'O' of Christ Disputing with the Merchants. The robe of the figure to the right is inscribed 'A. P. S. VITV. SI?S'. Image taken from f. 49 of Cutting from an Antiphoner (index antipho... More
King Edward III from BL Harley 5233, f. 11
Historiated initial with king Edward III (r. 1327-1377) combined with a full foliate bar border at the beginning of his statutes. Image taken from f. 11 of Nova Statuta (index Statuta Angliae, Statute book, Sta... More
Decorated initials from BL Harley 3045, f. 45
Decorated foliate initials 'E'(n) and 'O' with clasps at the beginning to book 2, chapters 23 and 24. Image taken from f. 45 of De laudibus sanctae crucis, prefatory material (ff. 2v-5v), book 1 (ff. 6v-34), bo... More
God blessing from BL Lansdowne 437, f. 1
Historiated initial of God blessing, at the beginning of the prologue. Image taken from f. 1 of Bible. Written in Latin.
Historiated initial from BL Burn 279, ff. 121v-122
Historiated initial 'I'(n) divided into five niches, each containing a seated figure, at the beginning of the Codex Justinianus of Justinian's Corpus iuris civilis. At the top is a crowned figure, representing... More
Historiated initial and border from BL Harley 3510, f. 2
Historiated initial 'M'(aecenas) with Horace, bust-length, at the beginning of the text and full decorated border with foliate decoration, flowers, besants, birds, a vase, winged putti, a wreath enclosing the M... More
Temptation of Christ from BL Royal 2 B III, f. 37
Detail of an historiated initial 'D'(ominus) of the Temptation of Christ, at the beginning of Psalm 26. Image taken from f. 37 of Psalter. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as th... More
Historiated initial-word panel from BL Add 22413, f. 148
Detail: historiated initial-word panel of a man holding a pitcher and a cup, at the beginning of a liturgical poem for Simhat Torah (Davidson vol. 1, no. 8400). Image taken from f. 148 of Festival prayer book f... More
Lactantius from BL Harley 3057, f. 5v
Detail of historiated initial 'M'(agno) with author portrait (Lactantius) at the beginning of the text. Image taken from f. 5v of Divinae institutiones (ff. 5v-108); De ira Dei (ff. 108v-118); De opificio Dei (... More
Nureddin, Sultan of Damascus from BL YT 12, f. 132
Historiated initial 'R'(eines) with a mail-coated Nureddin, the Sultan of Damascus, with bare legs and an open helmet, fleeing on horseback with a foal underfoot from two knights (Godfrey Martel and Hugh de Lu... More
Christ before Caiaphas from BL Add 18196, ff. 43-45, f. 45
Historiated initial 'O' of Christ before Caiaphas. Image taken from f. 45 of Cuttings from a choir book.
John from BL Add 69865, f. 1v - Public domain dedication image
Historiated initial 'I' of the eagle symbol of John, extension of acanthus-like foliage and bezants with single hair-line embellishment, at the beginning of a Gospel extract from John 1:1-14. Image taken from f... More
John the Baptist from BL Stowe 12, f. 257
Detail of an historiated initial 'D' of John the Baptist, holding the Agnus Dei. Image taken from f. 257 of Breviary, Use of Sarum with Norwich variants ('The Stowe Breviary'). Written in Latin.
Assumption of the Virgin from BL Add 39636, f. 1, f. 1
Historiated initial 'O' of the Assumption of the Virgin. The Madonna, seated in a mandorla supported by four angels, gives her girdle to Thomas. In the foreground are the other eleven Apostles. Image taken from... More
Detail of Christ blessing a layman from BL Add 52539, f. 11v
Detail of a historiated initial ?'A' of Christ enthroned blessing a kneeling layman, at the beginning of the Carthusian prayer cycle. Image taken from f. 11v of Leaf from a Book of Hours, containing part of the... More
Rabbis at Benei Braq from BL Add 14761, f. 31v
Historiated initial-word panel: ~Ma'aseh~, at the beginning of the account of the five rabbis at Benei Braq. The five rabbis are in the windows of a building; their pupils are knocking on the door. Full foliate... More
The Calling of Peter and Andrew. from BL Add 18196, f. 84, f. 84
Historiated initial 'D' of the Calling of Peter and Andrew. Image taken from f. 84 of Cutting from a choir book.
Crucifixion from BL Eg 3018, f. 23v
Miniature with the Crucifixion, and historiated initial with God supporting the dead Christ, with a full foliate border. Image taken from f. 23v of Missal, Use of Cologne. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscr... More
Marriage at Cana from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 168v
Miniature of the marriage feast at Cana with a kneeling maid holding up a cup of the miraculous wine and six angels playing musical instruments in niches, three on either side, with an historiated initial 'S'(a... More
Confirmacio sacramentalis (Sacrament of Confirmation) from BL Royal 6 ...
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(confirmacionem) of the sacrament of confirmation given by a bishop to a boy, illustrating the sacrament of confirmation. Image taken from f. 372 of Omne Bonum (Circumcisio-D... More
Design for the painted decoration of a coffered ceiling with initials:...
Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise (French, died 1897) Public domain photograph of 19th-century painting, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jules Edmond Charles Lachaise - Eugène Pierre Gourdet - Design for a c...
Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise (French, died 1897) Public domain photograph of 19th-century painting, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
[Man feeding dogs at table and letter T]
Title devised by cataloger. (DLC/PP-1936:0089). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court / Samuel Clemens. New York : Cha... More
[Woman with switch by table with older black man, and letter W]
Title devised by cataloger. (DLC/PP-1934:0009). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published as headpiece for: "The Editor's Drawer," Harper's magazine, 85:642 (Sept. 1892).
[Old sailor, possibly Noah, waving to two people from crow's nest, and...
Title devised by cataloger. Gift; Mrs. Peter Grant; 1940; (DLC/PP-1940:008). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: "The Wandering Joke," Life, 84:12 (Sept. 24, 1924).
Lost places home hotel building. An old building with a clock on the f...
Architecture stock photograph: The old church in the city of / An old building with a clock on the front of it.
Monograms & Ciphers by AA Turbayne 1912 c
Book decoration patterns, fonts etc. collection from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
Monograms & Ciphers by AA Turbayne 1912 l
Book decoration patterns, fonts etc. collection from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
St. Louis, Missouri August 1909 - Public domain old map
Maps decoration patterns, fonts etc. collection from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
Text with red and blue initials. Map stretching across both pages, wi...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval or early renaissance, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Miniature of skeletons accosting knights, large and small initials, li...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval or early renaissance, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Eustace from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 207v
Detail of an historiated initial 'A'(utens que) of Eustace, his wife and children being roasted in a brazen bull as the emperor Hadrian looks on. Image taken from f. 207v of Lives of the Saints. Written in Fren... More
Elcanah, Hannah and Peninnah from BL Royal 3 D VI, f. 116
Detail of an historiated initial 'F'(uit) of Elcanah and his two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, at the beginning of Kings 1. Image taken from f. 116 of Historia scholastica (The 'Ashridge Petrus Comestor'). Writte... More
Tree of Jesse from BL Royal 2 A XVIII, f. 96
Historiated initial 'B'(eatus) of the Tree of Jesse with a full border. Image taken from f. 96 of Book of Hours (The 'Beaufort/Beauchamp Hours'), Use of Sarum. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collect... More
Sacrifice from BL Royal 1 E IV, f. 135
Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(ocavit) of Israelits offering sacrifice to God, at the beginning of Leviticus. Image taken from f. 135 of Bible (Octateuch). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Colle... More
Assumption of the Virgin from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33...
Historiated initial 'G' with the Assumption of the Virgin, measuring 80 x 85 mm. On the reverse, one four-line stave, musical notation and partial text 'collau'. Image taken from f. 15 of Cuttings from a choir ... More
Peter and Paul from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 16
Historiated initial 'N' with Peter and Paul, measuring 160 x 160 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text '..expectatio /…bis iude'. Image taken from f. 16 of Cuttings from a ... More
Livy from BL Harley 3694, f. 2 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of an historiated initial 'M' of Livy holding a book. Image taken from f. 2 of Ab urbe condita, Fourth Decade (ff. 1v-151), Epitomies (ff. 152-186v), Periochae (ff. 187-214v). Written in Latin. The "BL ... More
Seder table from BL Add 14761, f. 28v
Detail of a page; Historiated initial-word panel ~Ha lahma aniya~ (The Bread of Affliction), at the beginning of the text of the Haggadah. Beneath the initial words, a miniature depicting a family by the Seder ... More
Joseph and his brothers from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-...
Historiated initial 'U' with Joseph and his brothers, illustrating Genesis 37:18-21, measuring 165 x 165 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text 'cidam(ur) / amus si pro'. Im... More
Scenes from the life of Abraham from BL Add 14761, ff. 36v-37
Folio 36v: historiated initial-word panel with gold letters: ~Mi-thilah~ at the beginning of the passage, 'In the beginning our fathers were idolators'. Around the initial-word panel, two midrashic scenes: on t... More
Bathing of the Christ Child from BL Add 18196, f. 13, f. 13
Historiated initial 'P' of the preparation for the bathing of the Christ Child. Image taken from f. 13 of Cutting from a choir book.
Esra from BL Harley 2804, f. 108
Historiated initial 'I'(n anno) of Esra, at the beginning of Esra. Image taken from f. 108 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible'), Psalms-Acts 16:17, imperfect. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a c... More
Historiated initial from BL Add 38117, f. 97v
Detail of an historiated initial 'O' with image of King Arthur setting infants adrift in a boat. Image taken from f. 97v of Joseph d'Arimathie (ff. 1-18), Le Livre de Merlin (ff. 18v-74), Suite de Merlin (ff. 7... More
Decorated initials from BL Arundel 57, f. 54v
Decorated initials. Image taken from f. 54v of Ayenbite of Inwyt, Prophecies of Merlin (prose version). Written in English, French, and Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family... More
Ceremony from BL Harley 1498, f. 76
Detail of an historiated initial 'T'(his) of the manuscript in use at a ceremony. Image taken from f. 76 of Quadripartite Indenture for Henry VII's Chapel. Written in English with Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscr... More
Design for painted decoration of a ceiling incorporating interwined in...
Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise (French, died 1897) Public domain photograph of 18th-century painting, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The wolf and the lion - Public domain dedication image
Purchase; (DLC/PP-1982:125.32). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Aesop's Fables, p. 198.
[King walking with stick past tree with letter N]
Title devised by cataloger. (DLC/PP-1936:0089). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court / Samuel Clemens. New York : Cha... More
[Amazon women with shields by tree and letter A]
Title devised by cataloger. (DLC/PP-1936:0089). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court / Samuel Clemens. New York : Cha... More
[Letter R]. Book illustration from Library of Congress
Title devised by cataloger. (DLC/PP-1933:0118). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: "Easter Toilettes," Harper's bazaar, 22:272 (April 13, 1889).
How they sing - Public domain banknote scan
Statue among trees and two letter A's. (DLC/PP-1933:0185). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: "Anabel and Amoris," Harper's magazine, 104:359 (Feb. 1902).
[Boy next to initial letter T and boy carrying clothes on back]
Title devised by cataloger. (DLC/PP-1933:0080). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published as initial letter and tailpiece in: "A Soul Above Buttons" by Myra Kelly, McClure... More
[Girl with wings holding presents and balloons and standing between tw...
(DLC/PP-1935:0022). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published as headpiece and initial for: "The Little Girl-Magnet" by Clara Greenleaf Perry, St. Nicholas, 38:129 (Dec. 1910).
[Two mother gooses and letter I]
Title devised by cataloger. Gift; Mrs. Peter Grant; 1940; (DLC/PP-1940:008). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: "The Illiterati" by Dorothy Parker, Life, 78:25 ... More
Man astride telephone pole and letter T
Title devised by cataloger. (DLC/PP-1936:0089). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court / Samuel Clemens. New York : Cha... More
FJ Brechtel calligraphy 16th cent. l
Book decoration patterns, fonts etc. collection from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
Monograms & Ciphers by AA Turbayne 1912 h
Book decoration patterns, fonts etc. collection from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
Monograms & Ciphers by AA Turbayne 1912 o
Book decoration patterns, fonts etc. collection from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
Monograms & Ciphers by AA Turbayne 1912 p
Book decoration patterns, fonts etc. collection from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
Paulus Franck - 'Schatzkammer Allerhand Versalien Lateinisch vnnd Teut...
Book decoration patterns, fonts etc. collection from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
Die Gartenlaube Illustriertes Familienblatt (1897) b 160
Bild aus Seite 160 in "Die Gartenlaube". Image from page 160 of journal Die Gartenlaube, 1897. Deutsch: keine Bildunterschrift English: no caption
Collection of 16th Century Block Letters
(Removed after reusableart request.)
[Man with confetti perched on letter A]
Title devised by cataloger. (DLC/PP-1932:0051). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: "Roman Carnival Sketches," Harper's magazine, 66:893 (May 1883).
A happy Christmas. postcard
Public domain photograph of Christmas postcard, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Page of text with coats of arms, initials, and placemarkers f. 265
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, early renaissance, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Title and miniature of St. John the Evangelist, both with elaborate fr...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Text with red and blue initials. Map with small drawing of city.
Public domain reproduction of illuminated medieval manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Text with red and blue initials. Map with small drawings of cities.
Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Pen-flourished initials from BL Harley 49, f. 113
Pen-flourished initials 'O'(r' and 'M'(ost). Image taken from f. 113 of Roman de Tristan, imperfect at the beginning, with an index (ff. 149-154v) (index Romance of Tristan, Tristram, Romance of Tristam de Leon... More
Lex (Law) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 434v
Detail of a historiated initial 'L'(ex) of a judge with two boys, following an instruction 'judex cum famulis' in the lower margin. Image taken from f. 434v of Omne Bonum (Jacob-Zacharias). Written in Latin. T... More
Bishop from BL Lansdowne 451, f. 176
Detail of historiated initial 'O'(rdo) with a bishop in front of an altar, blessing apparel. Image taken from f. 176 of Pontifical; Tabula. Written in Latin.
Peter from BL Add 48988, f. 52, f. 52
Historiated initial 'N' with a half-length figure of Peter holding a key and a book. Image taken from f. 52 of Cutting from a Gradual. Written in Latin.
Bohemund and Daimbert from BL YT 12, f. 58v
Detail of an historiated initial 'E'(stez) with Bohemund and Daimbert, Patriarch of Jerusalem, sailing for Apulia, in a ship flying the cross of St George. Image taken from f. 58v of Histoire d'Outremer, contin... More
Annunciation from BL Add 18197, ff. E-F, f. E
Historiated initial 'N' of the Annunciation. On the reverse, two four-line red staves, musical notation, and text '..Rorate celi / …s pluant in'. Image taken from f. E of Cuttings from a choir book, probably a ... More
Birth of John the Baptist from BL Add 18196, ff. 14-22, and 28-40, f. ...
Historiated initial 'G' of the birth of John the Baptist, measuring 165 x 125 mm (bottom miniature). Image taken from f. 15 of Cuttings from a Dominican choir book.
Presentation in the Temple from BL Add 52539, f. 4v
Historiated initial 'D' of the Presentation in the Temple, at the beginning of Vespers in the Hours of the Virgin, with extensions into borders of acanthus-like foliage inhabited by a hybrid creature, a zoomorp... More
Historiated initial from BL Royal 1 B VIII, f. 112
Detail of an historiated initial 'C'(onfortatus) of Salomon enthroned, at the beginning of Chronicles II. Image taken from f. 112 of Bible, with the interpretation of Hebrew names. Written in Latin. The BL Roy... More
Passover lamb from BL Add 14761, f. 60
Historiated initial-word panel: ~Pesah~ (Passover lamb) depicting a young man roasting the Passover lamb. Image taken from f. 60 of Haggadah, liturgical poems and biblical readings for Passover (The 'Barcelona ... More
Ptolemy from BL Harley 7182, f. 2
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(osmographia) with a portrait of Ptolemy. Image taken from f. 2 of Geography (index Cosmographie primus) with twenty-seven maps. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" ... More
Bust of a woman from BL Stowe 12, f. 256v
Detail of an historiated initial 'D' of the bust of a woman. Image taken from f. 256v of Breviary, Use of Sarum with Norwich variants ('The Stowe Breviary'). Written in Latin.
Pius IV from BL Add 21412, ff. 81-94*, ff. 88a-v
A montage (now dismembered) of a full-page historiated border, with the text removed, of floral motifs, the arms of Pius IV, a banner inscribed 'Pius IIII Pont. Max.', medallions containing figures in gold mono... More
Bust of a bishop from BL Stowe 12, f. 327
Detail of an historiated initial 'O' of a bust of a bishop, with a partial bar border including a grotesque hybrid. Image taken from f. 327 of Breviary, Use of Sarum with Norwich variants ('The Stowe Breviary'... More
Decorated initials and border from BL Harley 6332, f. 1
Decorated initials 'P'(rima) and 'S'(oror) with acanthus leaves combined with a 3-sided foliate border including an erased coat of arms; notarial inscription and pressmark '9. I.' (in the library of Sozomeno of... More
Christ blessing from BL Royal 4 D VI, f. 1v
Detail of a historiated initial 'P'(aulus) of Christ blessing and holding a book, at the beginning of Romans, and a historiated initial 'P'(aulus) of a lion and an eagle, at the beginning of the Peter Lombard's... More
Historiated initial from BL Royal 20 D IX, f. 6
Historiated initial 'L'(I empereres) of Justinian receiving plaintiffs, at the beginning of the Authenticum. Image taken from f. 6 of Authenticum and Tres Libri. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Coll... More
Triumph of Death from BL Harley 5761, f. 29
Full border with flowers, birds, deer, skulls, coral beads, a marginal vignette of the Triumph of Death, and an historiated initial 'Q'(uesta). Image taken from f. 29 of Trionfi (index Triumphs) (ff. 11-52v); R... More
Historiated initial and border from BL Arundel 220, f. 7
Historiated initial 'B'(ritannia) with armed figures in a boat?, and a full border, at the beginning of Gaufridus Monemutensis's Historia Britonum. Image taken from f. 7 of Miscellany of mostly historical texts... More
Historiated initial and borders from BL Harley 2717, f. 1
Historiated initial 'S'(ororem) with a man reading (Terence?), and full border of acanthus and flowers on unpainted ground, with a bird, and an angel holding unidentified arms. Image taken from f. 1 of Comoedia... More
Resurrection from BL YT 34, f. 84
Historiated initial 'F'(ratres) of the Resurrection of Christ, with a partial bar border, at the reading for Easter. Image taken from f. 84 of Epistolary of the Sainte-Chapelle, Use of Paris. Written in Latin. ... More
Resurrection from BL YT 25, f. 1
Historiated initial 'A'(lleluia) of the Resurrection of Christ, and a partial border with animals, including a hare blowing a horn and a monkey with a bow and arrow, a hybrid creature, and birds, in a liturgic... More
Pilate from BL Eg 2781, f. 149v
Detail of historiated initial of Pilate washing his hands. Image taken from f. 149v of Book of Hours, Use of Sarum (The 'Neville of Hornby Hours'). Written in Latin and French. The Egerton Manuscript Collectio... More
King and fool from BL Harley 1892, f. 68
Detail of an historiated initial 'D'(ixit) of a king and fool at the beginning of Psalm 52. Image taken from f. 68 of Various prayers including indulgenced prayers, and Gospel Lessons. Written in Latin. The "B... More
Constellacio (Constellation) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 396v
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(onstellacio) of an astrologer observing the sky, and the devil in a circle. Image taken from f. 396v of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Ma... More
Adolescens, Adolescencia (Adolescence) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 58v
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(dolescens) of a young woman with a mirror and a young man. Image taken from f. 58v of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collectio... More
Cor (Heart) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 425v
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(or) of a man, holding his heart and praying before a crucifix at an altar. Image taken from f. 425v of Omne Bonum (Circumcisio-Dona Spiritui Sancti). Written in Latin. The ... More
Jerome from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 132v
Detail of an historiated initial 'L'(ibrum) of Jerome giving a book to a boy, at the beginning of the prologue to Esther. Image taken from f. 132v of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with the Gospel of Nicod... More