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Vienna Genesis

Illuminated Manuscripts and Calligraphic Works

The Vienna Genesis is an illuminated manuscript probably produced in Syria in the first half of the sixth century, containing scenes from the biblical Book of Genesis illustrated on purple dyed parchment. It ranks among the oldest well preserved illustrated biblical manuscripts to survive, with only the Ethiopian Garima Gospels rivaling its age. The manuscript is held today in the Austrian National Library in Vienna, the city that gives it its name.

Facts
Year Created
525 1
First half of the 6th century; precise year unknown. 525 is a representative midpoint, not a sourced exact year.
Medium
Illuminated manuscript 1
Location
Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek), Vienna 1
Classification
Genre
Manuscript Illumination 1
Connections

In Form

Early Byzantine illuminated Greek manuscript.

In Movement

One of the oldest surviving illuminated Byzantine manuscripts.

Sources
1. Vienna Genesis (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Lead section, first paragraph
    The Vienna Genesis (Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, cod. theol. gr. 31), designated by siglum L (Ralphs), is an illuminated manuscript, probably produced in Syria in the first half of the 6th century.
  • Genre reference
    The Vienna Genesis is an illuminated manuscript probably produced in Syria in the first half of the sixth century, containing scenes from the biblical Book of Genesis illustrated on purple dyed parchment.
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