Beatus of Liébana - San Andrés de Arroyo Codex (1220s)

 

(Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris, France)

An illuminated page made by an unknown Spanish artist. This page is part os the so-called "San Andrés de Arroyo Codex". This codex is a copy of the Commentary on the Apocalypse, written in the eighth century by the Spanish monk and theologian Beatus of Liébana (730–785). This codex was Made for King Ferdinand III of Castile (ca. 1200–1252) in the Monastery of San Pedro de Carden͂a. The page shows a scene from the Book of Revelation, called "The victorious Christ - The Word of God":

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-16)

Illuminated page from the 1220s.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called «Faithful» and «True», and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (Revelation, 19.11)