Gospel Book

Unknown

early–late 13th century

Tempera colors and gold leaf, Tempera Colors

J. Paul Getty Museum

An angel appears to a group of sleeping figures in a rocky landscape. A central figure, possibly Jesus, gestures towards the sleeping figures. Gospel books are the most common type of manuscript to survive from the Byzantine Empire, which was the eastern Roman Empire, centered in Constantinople (modern Istanbul), that existed from 330-1453 CE. Objects of personal and communal devotion, they served as rich gifts and were used in services. The Byzantines read different passages of scripture, called lections, each day in church, and many Gospel books, like this one, have those passages specially marked in their margins for ease of use. In addition to containing the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, this dramatically-illustrated volume begins with eight decorated charts