Decorated letter from BL Harley 7586A, f. 2
Detail of the Hebrew letter ~shin~ decorated with foliate motifs, which served as a book plate of the patron Shabbetai ben Mattatya of Rome (see Narkiss, 1984). Image taken from f. 2 of Guide of the Perplexed (... More
Tudor Rose from BL Royal 11 E XI, f. 2
Detail of an allegorical miniature of a bush of the Tudor rose incorporating a Latin poem celebrating the House of Tudor, with a scroll reading 'Salve, radix varios producens germine ramos, / Quos inter ramus s... More
Manuscript Leaves from an Arabic Manuscript
Made in Byzantine Egypt Public domain reproduction of Greek Byzantine medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Diagram of the sun from BL Harley 3735, f. 18
Detail of diagrams with the movements of the sun around the earth, illustrating Johannes de Sacro Bosco's Tractatus de sphaera. The cities of Rome and Paris are depicted in the diagram on the right. Image taken... More
Diagram from BL Harley 3735, f. 23
Diagram illustrating Johannes de Sacro Bosco's Tractatus de sphaera. Image taken from f. 23 of Various calendarial and computistical treatises. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collecti... More
Album of Tournaments and Parades in Nuremberg
Public domain photo of a golden object, Europe, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Unidentified Scene from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935–1020) Attributed to India, Kashmir
A Stallion, Afghanistan - Public domain dedication image
Public domain photo of a golden object, Afghanistan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Manuscript Leaf with the Annunciation, from a Psalter
Public domain photo of a Medieval 3d object, Europe, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description. The Annunciation is a biblical event in which the angel Gabriel appeared to... More
f. 156v, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 155: text page. from BL...
Palaeontological observations; notes on the 'heart and soul', Man as 'model of the world', and generative processes of nature. Image taken from f. 156v of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. Th... More
Image from BL Hargrave 274, f. 328v
Image taken from f. 328v of Nova Statuta (index Statutes of England, Statuta Angliae), 1 Edward III to 3 Henry VII (ff. 50-350v), preceded by an alphabetical list of contents (ff. 1-49). Written in French.
Decorated table from BL Or 1423, f. 3
Index of biblical passages with geometrical decoration and coloured letters. Image taken from f. 3 of The Guide of the Perplexed, Judeo-Arabic text (~Dalalat al Ha'irin~). Written in Judeo-Arabic.
"Rustam Captures the Citadel of Mount Sipand", Folio from a Shahnama (...
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935–1020) Attributed to India, Kashmir
"Kai Kavus Attempts to Fly to Heaven", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of ...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, classical or archaic, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
"Kai Khusrau Crosses the River Jayhun with Giv and Farangis", Folio fr...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
"Bahram Gur Entertained by the Daughters of Barzin", Folio from a Shah...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, classical or archaic, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Abû Hishâm of Medina kisses the hand of the Prophet.
Life of the Prophet Muhammad written at the order of the Mamluk sultan al-Mansûr 'Alâ' al-Dîn 'Alî (d. 778/1376). The work was first illustrated during the reign of the Ottoman sultan Murâd III.
Nufayl reads a letter from the Jews of Bayt al-Muqaddas (the Jewish Te...
Life of the Prophet Muhammad written at the order of the Mamluk sultan al-Mansûr 'Alâ' al-Dîn 'Alî (d. 778/1376). The work was first illustrated during the reign of the Ottoman sultan Murâd III.
Rustam's Third Feat: he kills a dragon.
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, classical or archaic, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Rustam's Fourth Feat: he kills the sorcerer.
Life of the Prophet Muhammad written at the order of the Mamluk sultan al-Mansûr 'Alâ' al-Dîn 'Alî (d. 778/1376). The work was first illustrated during the reign of the Ottoman sultan Murâd III.
Farîdûn, seated on his throne, surrounded by five courtiers.
Life of the Prophet Muhammad written at the order of the Mamluk sultan al-Mansûr 'Alâ' al-Dîn 'Alî (d. 778/1376). The work was first illustrated during the reign of the Ottoman sultan Murâd III.
Folio from a Buddhist Manuscript of Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparami...
Pala period Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript, folio, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Folio from a Buddhist Manuscript of Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparami...
Pala period Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript, folio, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Green Tara, Folio from a dispersed Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita (Perf...
Public domain photo of Asian art painting, classical or archaic, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Folio from a Manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita (Perfecti...
Pala period Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript, folio, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Folio from a Quran Manuscript - Public domain dedication image
Made in Western Iran or Northern Iraq Public domain reproduction of illuminated medieval manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bodhisattva Padmapani, Leaf from a dispersed Ashtasahasrika Prajnapara...
Public domain reproduction of artwork, classical or archaic, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Decorated initial from BL Harley 2803, f. 263v
Detail of a decorated initial 'N' with clasps. Image taken from f. 263v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collecti... More
Haggai from BL Harley 2803, f. 281
Detail of a historiated initial 'I'(n anno) depicting the standing prophet holding a scroll, at the beginning of Haggai (Aggaeus). Image taken from f. 281 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible),... More
Zephaniah from BL Harley 2803, f. 279v
Detail of a historiated initial 'V' of the prophet Zephaniah standing with a scroll inscribed '[V]'(erbum Domini), at the beginning of Zephaniah (Sophoniae). Image taken from f. 279v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible'... More
The Visitation from BL Eg 1139, f. 1v
Miniature of the Visitation. Image taken from f. 1v of Psalter (The 'Melisende Psalter') with canticles, prayers, and litany. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir... More
Canon Table Page, German manuscript
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Folio from a Quran Manuscript - Public domain dedication image
Public domain photograph of 3d object, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Leaf from a Beatus Manuscript: the Opening of the Fifth Seal
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14ht-15th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description. The Beatus manuscript of King Ferdinand I, from San Isidoro de L... More
"Preparing Medicine from Honey", from a Dispersed Manuscript of an Ara...
Public domain photo of a golden object, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Cover from BL Eg 2610, upper cover
Brown sheepskin over wooden boards, with blind-stamping of fleur-de-lys and rosettes, probably Cretan. Image taken from upper cover of Four Gospels, with the Canons of Eusebius and the epistle to Carpianus. Wri... More
Richard II and Bolingbroke from BL Harley 1319, f. 50
Detail of a miniature of Richard II and Bolingbroke at Flint Castle. Image taken from f. 50 of La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (Book of the Capture and Death of King Richard II) (index Histoire rimée de Richa... More
Vincent of Beauvais from BL Royal 14 E I, f. 3
Miniature of Vincent of Beauvais as a Dominican monk, sitting at a desk and writing his book, at the beginning of book 1, with a full border containing the Royal arms of England, with Edward IV's colours of red... More
Heaven of the Moon from BL YT 36, f. 131
Miniature of Dante and Beatrice visiting the inhabitants of the heaven of the moon. Image taken from f. 131 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy). Written in Italian. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a ... More
f. 78v, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 73: diagrams, notes, cal...
Notes and diagrams on optics (caustics of reflection); mathematical calculations; household accounts (not in Leonado's hand). Image taken from f. 78v of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The ... More
Lady Jane Grey inscription from BL Harley 2342, f. 76v
Text page with coloured initials and line-fillers, and a portion of a message written in the margin by Lady Jane Grey to Sir John Bridges, Lieutenant of the Tower (continued from f. 76): '… Precher sayethe ther... More
Owl from BL Harley 4751, f. 47 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of a miniature of an owl (Bubo) being attacked by three smaller birds. Image taken from f. 47 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscr... More
Detail from BL Sloane 6, f. 176v
Image taken from f. 176v of Medical treatise. Written in English. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the development of British museums and libraries. Sloan... More
The Light from BL YT 36, f. 179
Detail of a miniature of Dante and Beatrice before the Light. Image taken from f. 179 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy). Written in Italian. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and ... More
Marginalia from BL Royal 19 B XIII, f. 5
Detail of marginalia from the lower border, including a grotesque with a bow, hounds, dragons, and a monkey. Image taken from f. 5 of Roman de la Rose. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, al... More
Vilenie from BL Royal 19 B XIII, f. 6
Detail of a miniature of Vilenie (Villainy, Abuse, Baseness) offering the Lover (L'Amans) a potion. Image taken from f. 6 of Roman de la Rose. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known ... More
Text page from BL Harley 2253, f. 73
Text page. Image taken from f. 73 of Various texts including secular and religious lyrics (also known as the 'Harley Lyrics'), including King Horn and the Follies of Fashion, and Psalms listed for recitation at... More
Esther from BL Harley 4381, f. 250
Detail of miniature of Esther pleading with king Ahasuerus. Image taken from f. 250 of Bible historiale (vol. 1). Written in French, with some Latin for frontispiece. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a col... More
Dante and Virgil in Purgatory from BL Eg 943, f. 95
Detail of a miniature of Virgil's second discourse to Dante on love and free will. Image taken from f. 95 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a short Latin commentary; ... More
Royal arms of England from BL Royal 19 C VIII, f. 3
Detail of the Royal arms of England, with a crown in the lower margin of the folio. Image taken from f. 3 of Imaginacion de vraye noblesse. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as ... More
Cranial operation from BL Sloane 1977, f. 2
Detail of the middle register of a full-page miniature with scenes of a surgeon performing an operation for a compound fracture of the skull on a standing, kneeling, and seated patient. Image taken from f. 2 of... More
Christ preaching from BL Royal 20 D V, f. 31v
Detail of a miniature of Christ preaching. Image taken from f. 31v of Les omelies Saint Grégoire pape. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of ove... More
A Portuguese, Iran, watercolors, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Public domain photograph of 3d object, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Cod. Ser. n. 2644, fol. 28v: Tacuinum sanitatis: Tartufule
Ein Mann mit Korb beim Trüffelsammeln Public domain photograph of medieval botanical illustration, illuminated manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
William at Orange from BL Royal 20 D XI, f. 118
Detail of a miniature of William and his companions received into Orange, following the rubric 'Coment Guill[aumes] oy nouveles dorenge / et comment il la prist et p[ar] quel engin', at the beginning of 'La Pri... More
Folio from a Materia Medica of Dioscorides
Attributed to Iraq Public domain reproduction of illuminated medieval manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Abbildung aller medizinisch-ökonomisch-technologischen Gewächse mit de...
Glycyrrhiza glabra Bot. - Das Süßholz Public domain photograph of medieval botanical illustration, illuminated manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Abbildung aller medizinisch-ökonomisch-technologischen Gewächse mit de...
Sinapis nigra Bot. Der schwarze Senf Public domain photograph of medieval botanical illustration, illuminated manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Laila and Majnun - Public domain dedication. Metropolitan Museum of Ar...
Public domain image of painting, 16th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Joanna of Naples from BL Royal 18 E I, f. 69v
Detail of a miniature of Joanna of Naples resigning her kingdom to pope Clement. Image taken from f. 69v of Chroniques. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection... More
Cod. Ser. n. 2644, fol. 25v: Tacuinum sanitatis: Cepe
Bauer und Bäuerin bei der Zwiebelernte Public domain photograph of medieval botanical illustration, illuminated manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Trio of musicians from BL Harley 4375, f. 151v
Detail of a miniature depicting a trio of musicians, a 'soft consort' playing a lute, a recorder, and a harp, in a room with closed and open books. Image taken from f. 151v of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et... More
Knights jousting from BL Harley 4205, f. 19v
Coloured drawings of combatant mounted knights in armour and tabard. Image taken from f. 19v of Anonymous verses on the kings of England, to Henry VI, unfinished (manuscript also known as Sir Thomas Holme's Boo... More
Paraphs from BL Harley 2255, f. 8v
Paraphs with pen-flourishing including a bird. Image taken from f. 8v of Collection of 45 minor poems including 'The Legend of Saint Austin at Compton', 'The Testament', 'Fabula duorum mercatorum', and 'When sh... More
Annunciation to Zacharias from BL Royal 18 E V, f. 365v
Detail of a miniature of the Annunciation, and the Annunciation to Zacharias. Image taken from f. 365v of Chronique of Baudouin d'Avennes (L'histoire tripartite, Le trésor de sapience). Written in French. The ... More
George from BL Harley 2952, f. 21
Miniature of George and the dragon. Image taken from f. 21 of Book of Hours. Written in French, with some rubrics in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the... More
f. 197, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 198v: diagrams from BL A...
Notes and diagrams. Image taken from f. 197 of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Howard, the 2nd Earl o... More
Greek army with Xenophon from BL Royal 19 C VI, f. 83
Detail of a miniature of the Greek army with Xenophon, and piles of the dead. Image taken from f. 83 of Anabasis. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, cons... More
St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, gives secretly dowries to three poor gir...
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Death of Sweyn from BL YT 47, f. 83
Miniature of the apparition of Edmund, in armour, aided by an angel, slaying Sweyn in bed with a spear, from John Lydgate's Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund. Image taken from f. 83 of Lives of Saints Edmund a... More
Giovanni Boccaccio - Detail from BL Harley 1766, f. 76, illuminated ma...
Miniature of Euridyce and Orpheus with his harp. Image taken from f. 76 of The Fall of Princes (index De casibus virorum et feminarum illustrium), abridged. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refer... More
Solomon kneels in prayer at the dedication of the temple(?)
Public domain scan of a medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
The Nativity: the Christ-child in the manger, Mary lies in bed, St. Jo...
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Soldiers from BL Royal 15 E I, f. 333
Detail of a miniature of two soldiers with a spear and a sword exchanging money. Image taken from f. 333 of Historia rerum in partibus transmarinis gestarum, in French, with continuation to 1231. Written in French.
Priam and his son Polites being killed before the altar from BL Royal ...
Detail of a miniature of Priam and his son Polites being killed before the altar. Image taken from f. 30 of De casibus virorum illustrium in French translation (Des cas des ruynes des nobles hommes et femmes). ... More
Arms of Edward IV from BL Royal 14 E II, f. 194
Detail from the full border containing the arms of Edward IV, at the beginning of book 3. Image taken from f. 194 of Le chemin de Vaillance, and other texts (see Notes below for contents). Written in French. ... More
Isaiah's vision: an angel purifies his lips with a burning coal from t...
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Arms of Edward VI from BL Royal 16 E XXXII, f. 1v
Frontispiece with the arms of Edward VI. Image taken from f. 1v of Addressed to Edward VI (f. 1), dedicatory letter referring to the recent peace with Henry II of France (ff. 2-3v), Ad Nicoclem, beginning, 'Ceu... More
Abbildung aller medizinisch-ökonomisch-technologischen Gewächse mit de...
Pistacia Lentiscus - Der Mastixbaum Public domain photograph of medieval botanical illustration, illuminated manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Leaf from a Beatus Manuscript: the First Angel Sounds the Trumpet; Fir...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14ht-15th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description. The Beatus manuscript of King Ferdinand I, from San Isidoro de L... More
Cod. Ser. n. 2644, fol. 13v: Tacuinum sanitatis: Rutab vel datilus
Ein Herr und eine harfenspielende Dame sitzen unter einer Dattelpalme Public domain photograph of medieval botanical illustration, illuminated manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl ... More
Cod. Ser. n. 2644, fol. 61v: Tacuinum sanitatis: Lac coagulatum
Ein Bauer trägt an einer Stange über seiner Schulter zwei volle Kübel gestockte Milch
Henry VIII from "Letters of the Kings of England. Now first collected ...
This image has been taken from scan 000010 from "Letters of the Kings of England. Now first collected from the originals ... Edited, with an historical introduction and notes, by J. O. H., etc". The title and s... More
Christ and disciples from BL Royal 20 D V, f. 27
Detail of a miniature of Christ and his disciples standing. Image taken from f. 27 of Les omelies Saint Grégoire pape. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection,... More
f. 264, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 269v: notes and sketches...
Notes and diagram on mechanics; notes and schematic sketches on spriral staircases (side-on). Image taken from f. 264 of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection wa... More
Angels turning the axis of the world from BL Harley 4940, f. 28
Diagram with angels turning the axis of the world. Image taken from f. 28 of Breviari d'amor. Written in French. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Li... More
Scribe demonstrating to his pupils from BL Royal 17 E III, f. 209
Detail of a miniature of a scribe demonstrating to his pupils. Image taken from f. 209 of De proprietatibus rerum (Livre des proprietez des choses). Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also ... More
Greek envoys from BL Royal 16 F IX, f. 51v
Detail of a miniature of Dolon and the Greek envoys received by Priam. Image taken from f. 51v of Historia destructionis Troiae in a French translation. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, a... More
Inhabited border from BL Harley 5699, f. 189v
Detail of a foliate border with two hybrids and a peacock in the lower margin. Image taken from f. 189v of Lisbon Mishneh Torah, volume 2. Written in Hebrew. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection o... More
Dido welcoming Aeneas from BL Royal 16 G VII, f. 82
Detail of a miniature of Dido welcoming Aeneas. Image taken from f. 82 of Les anciennes hystoires rommaines (A compilation of ancient history in two parts, each preceded by a table of contents: Part 1, l'Histoi... More
Dante speaks to Arnaut from BL Eg 943, f. 111
Framed miniature of Dante (with Statius and Virgil) speaking to one of the lustful, perhaps Arnaut Image taken from f. 111 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a short L... More
The Annunciation: Gabriel announces Christ's birth to Mary
The Annunciation is a biblical event in which the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she had been chosen to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. The event is recorded in the New Testamen... More
Washing of the Feet from BL Harley 1810, f. 246
Miniature of Christ washing the feet of the Apostles. Image taken from f. 246 of Four Gospels. Written in Greek. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Li... More
Alexander fighting dragons and creatures from BL Royal 20 A V, f. 73
Miniature of Alexander and his army fighting against dragons; miniature of Alexander and his army encountering dog-headed men (cynocephali). Image taken from f. 73 of Roman d'Alexandre en Prose, imperfect at th... More
Inferno: Dante, the leopard and the lion from BL Eg 943, f. 3
Detail of miniature of Dante meeting the leopard and the lion. Image taken from f. 3 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a short Latin commentary; the Capitolo (ff. 187... More
Manuscript Leaf from a Missal - Public domain dedication museum photo
Public domain photo of a golden object, France, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Joseph of Arimathea from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 66v
Detail of a miniature of Joseph of Arimathea laying down his shirt on the water for 150 people who are pure of heart to cross the sea. Image taken from f. 66v of Estoire del Saint Graal, La Queste del Saint Gra... More
Cod. Ser. n. 2644, fol. 21r: Tacuinum sanitatis: Melones dulces
Ein Mann bei der Wassermelonenernte Public domain photograph of medieval botanical illustration, illuminated manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Funeral of Roland from BL Royal 16 G VI, f. 181v
Detail of a miniature of the funeral of Roland, and Ganelon being torn in pieces. Image taken from f. 181v of Chroniques de France ou de St Denis. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also kn... More