Illuminating the End of Time

This is a fascinating and gloriously illustrated exploration of this 13th-century English Apocalyptic manuscript. The visionary nature of the "Apocalypse" – the biblical book of "Revelation" – along with its detailed descriptions of the end of the world have long made it ideal for illustration. Illuminated texts of the "Apocalypse" were particularly popular in 13th-century England, and the copy in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, with its lively narrative miniatures, stand as a testament to the artistic heights achieved during that period. In this richly illustrated book, all 82 of the manuscript's images are reproduced in colour for the first time, accompanied by a full commentary. A general introduction to the history of 13th-century English illustrated "Apocalypse" manuscripts is followed by a succinct study of the artistic context of the Getty's manuscript, as well as a consideration of its style and date.