Manuscript

Gaignières Gospel Lectionary

Description

François-Roger de Gaignières (b. 1642, d. 1715) was an art collector and scholar who bequeathed his manuscripts and drawings to the French king Louis XIV (r. 1643–1715) in 1711. After the King’s death this book joined the French royal library as one of the masterpieces of his vast collection. This Gospel-book contains the lessons, or Gospel passages to be read during Mass.

The manuscript contains extravagant decoration found in very few French manuscripts of this period. The Gospel text is written entirely in gold or silver on purple parchment, and the beginning of each Gospel is enhanced by a fully decorated border and elaborated initial letter.

This manuscript was digitised with the support of The Polonsky Foundation.

Full title:
Gaignières Gospel Lectionary
Created:
Early 11th century, Fleury-sur-Loire
Format:
Manuscript
Language:
Latin
Usage terms
Public Domain
Held by
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Shelfmark:
Latin 1126

Full catalogue details

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Themes:
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