Codices illustres. The world’s most famous illuminated manuscripts 400 to 1600

From The Book of Kells to Boccaccios Decameron from the Vienna Genesis to Dantes Divine Comedy: to open Codices illustres is to open the door into a precious private world. Now in a revised format this radiant book brings you face-to-face with 167 of the most exquisite and important manuscripts of the medieval age.Presented in brilliant large-format reproductions these paradigms of miniature painting and illumination from the 4th century to 1600 were once the property of some of the greatest power players in history. Now art-historical treasures they are worth many millions and typically tucked away in private collections or closely guarded archivesuntil now.Although the focus of this collection is on European manuscripts examples from Mexican Persian and Indian tradition illustrate the refinement and intricacy of manuscript illumination in non-European cultures. An informative synopsis for each manuscript orients the reader at a glance while a 36-page appendix contains biographies of the artists as well as an extensive bibliography an index and a glossary for technical terms.