Six Ages of the World from BL YT 31, f. 77

Detail of a circular diagram of the Six Ages of the World, with an angel at the centre with outspread arms. Each of the Ages of the World is represented by an emblematic scene. First Age (from Adam to Noah): the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise; Second Age (from Noah to Abraham): Noah holding the branch of a vine and a dead bird or beast by the feed; Third Age (from Abraham to David): the sacrifice of Isaac; Fourth Age (from David to the captivity): Moses and Aaron holding the inscribed Tablets of the Law; Fifth Age (captivity to the coming of Christ): Solomon enthroned pointing to an idol in a shrine; Sixth Age (the coming of Christ): the Virgin and Child enthroned, with a priest at an altar elevating the Host, in Matfré Ermengau of Béziers's Breviari d'Amour. Image taken from f. 77 of Breviari d'Amor (Catalan prose version). Written in Spanish (Catalan), with some Hebrew (ff. 131-134).

Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled this remarkable collection over his lifetime. The collection is now housed at the British Library in London.

Henry Yates Thompson was born into a wealthy family in 1838. Thompson began collecting manuscripts and other items in the 1870s. His collection quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and breadth. He had a keen eye for illuminated manuscripts, which are manuscripts decorated with intricate illustrations and calligraphy. The collection has a particular emphasis on medieval manuscripts.

matfre ermengau of beziers ages six ages world bl yt manuscripts medieval adam and eve eve adam coat of arms old testament garden of eden bible jesus christ angels illuminations medieval miniatures miniature illuminated manuscripts diagram biblical events decoration and ornament british library

1200 - 1500

British Library

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Public Domain