Four Gospels in Armenian

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Illuminated manuscripts are among the finest works of Armenian art as the "Word" has been the primary focus of veneration in the Armenian Church since its founding in the early fourth century. In the fifteenth century under Mongol domination in the region of Khizan near Lake Van (now in Turkey), Armenian artists developed the dramatic narrative style of illumination seen here. Colophons, notations in the text, identify this gospel as written by the scribe Margar for the Monastery of St. George at Mokk’ at the order of Bishop Sion. As it typical for Armenian gospels, the illuminations of the life of Christ are grouped at the beginning of the text before the Canon Tables with an evangelist’s portrait introducing each gospel.

Medieval Art and The Cloisters

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world. Displayed in both The Met Fifth Avenue and in the Museum's branch in northern Manhattan, The Met Cloisters, the collection encompasses the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome in the fourth century to the beginning of the Renaissance in the early sixteenth century. It also includes pre-medieval European works of art created during the Bronze Age and early Iron Age.

Metropolitan Museum of Art