Beatus of Liébana, Manchester
The Most Illustrated and Sumptuous Beatus of Liébana

• Conserved in the John Ryland Library of Manchester, as of 1901 [Ms. Lat. 8].

• The Beatus of Manchester passed from Spain to France in 1869, and was auctioned in Paris with other books from the collection of the Marquis of Astorga and Count of Altamira.

• Written in Late Carolingian-Pregothic script.

• Contains 123 beautiful full-page miniatures illuminated in gold and silver.

• Commentary on the Apocalypse of Saint John written by Beatus of Liébana, an Asturian monk, in 776. The distinct manuscripts that relate the “Commentary on the Apocalypse,” were illuminated in various monasteries during the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries. They are luxurious examples copied and decorated for kings and magnates.

• The Beatus of Liébana. Manchester is the only manuscript of Beatus that remained complete. Indeed, none of its folios had been torn and it conserves the totality of its paintings.

• Codicological and iconographical study by Professor Peter K. Klein.

• Codex bound in leather over wooden boards with bronze hinges and clasps.

• Unique edition of 999 numbered copies with notarized certificate of authenticity.