Valcavado Beatus, Medieval illuminated manuscript at Biblioteca de Santa Cruz, Spain
Valcavado Beatus is an illuminated manuscript on parchment containing roughly 460 pages decorated with colored miniatures that depict scenes from the Book of Revelation commentary. The figures display characteristic features like almond-shaped eyes, rendered in a distinctive medieval style.
The manuscript was created in 970 in a Benedictine monastery, commissioned by Abbot Sempronius and executed by monk Oveco with meticulous care. Its production during this period reflects the advanced state of bookmaking in medieval Spanish monasteries.
This work showcases 10th-century Spanish illumination traditions through carefully drawn Latin text paired with visual interpretations of biblical visions. The margins reveal how different readers across the centuries added their own thoughts and theological notes to the pages.
The manuscript is housed in the Biblioteca de Santa Cruz in Valladolid where visitors can view it. Plan ahead to confirm visiting conditions, as original manuscripts are typically accessible only at specified times to protect their preservation.
A fascinating detail is that the work was completed in just a few months during summer and early fall, between June and September. This compressed production timeline reveals how intensely coordinated the monastic workshop must have been to accomplish such intricate work.
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