Bishop Composes Mary's Book
Image displayed with permission of British Library
Bishop Composes Mary's Book
- This painting (also called an illumination) appears in a manuscript taken from King Tewodros's royal library in Magdala, Southern Ethiopia, and dated to 1721-1730. You can view this painting in the manuscript British Library, "Orient" Collection, Manuscript No. 648, f. 11v, or learn more about this manuscript at its PEMM Manuscript page. You can also read the related story at its PEMM Story page.
- Many Geʿez manuscript paintings are in "Synoptic Narrative Art” style; that is, a single painting depicts multiple moments in the story, providing a series of vignettes representing different plot points. PEMM calls these "episodes". This painting of PEMM Story ID 13 has 4 episodes. The painting's episode descriptions, locations, and keywords are:
- 1. Hildephonsus of Toledo handing over to St Mary the finished book of the Taʾammǝra Māryām, which she blesses and returns to him (top-left). The object(s) are throne; manuscript; book; pen; reed; mitre. The living being(s) are Mary; Jesus; Ildefonsus of Toledo; author; bishop.
- 2. St Mary presenting to Hildephonsus of Toledo a throne and garment (bottom-left). The object(s) are throne; mitre. The living being(s) are Mary; Jesus; Ildefonsus of Toledo.
- 3. The throne and garment are preserved after Hildephonsus of Toledo's death (top-center). The object(s) are throne.
- 4. Hildephonsus of Toledo's successor falling and being smitten by an angel having touched Mary's gifts to Hildephonsus without permission (top-right). The object(s) are throne; mitre; sword; spear; heavenly clouds. The living being(s) are Mary; Jesus Christ, angel; bishop.
- The number of PEMM manuscripts that have paintings of this story is 51. The total number of paintings of this story in PEMM manuscripts is 93.
- PEMM's ID number for this painting is 1453.
- To reproduce this image online or in print, please contact the British Library. PEMM does not own the rights.
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