Lavishly illustrated Ge'ez Bible manuscript

[Ge'ez Gospels]. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Gospels.

€ 8.500,00

With nearly twenty full-page paintings on vellum of exceptional quality, this large manuscript of the Ethiopian Orthodox Gospels is a particularly beautiful exemplar of one of the most ancient continuous manuscript traditions of Christianity. The subjects of its illustrations are deeply traditional: the Passion, the Resurrection, the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, and saints, all in the bright and bold style of Ethiopia and Eritrea; however, the skill with which these manuscript paintings are presented stands apart, in lush colours and confident lines, always in keeping with the bold and stylized forms of illustrated Ge'ez manuscripts.

The text itself comprises the Orthodox Gospels, which have retained their own distinct canon almost since the introduction of Christianity to the region in the 4th century. The earliest attested Ge'ez Gospels are dated (with some debate) to the 6th century, and it is in Ge'ez that the tradition of writing holy books by hand has persisted the furthest into the modern age, long after it had been abandoned by most of the Christian world. At once a spiritual practice, tradition, and an art form, Ge'ez manuscripts such as this one - from the 19th century - are quite unique.