MINIATURIST, Greek
(active around 1000)

Gospel Book

c. 1000
Manuscript (Gr. 1)
Biblioteca Estense, Modena

This manuscript is one of the finest examples of the third phase (tenth-twelfth centuries) of Byzantine art. The iconography is typical of Gospel Books of this period: the Evangelists are represented on the page preceding the text, seated either in the process of writing or meditating, and set against a gold ground. Folio 11v shows Matthew, seated on a stool with a pink cushion, writing in a large book resting on his knees. There were originally miniatures showing all four Evangelists, but only three remain, the one for Luke is lost.