Moralized Bible

Moralized Bible, France, Paris, c. 1227-34, 37.5 x 26.2 cm, MS M.240, fols. 7v and 8r (The Morgan Library & Museum)
speakers: Dr. Joshua O'Driscoll, Associate Curator of Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts, The Morgan Library & Museum and Dr. Steven Zucker

[@araucariapasquale1]

How are these this good? Nobody breaks it down as well as you do. I am so grateful that you are still making these.

[@araucariapasquale1]

​@@VictorKing144 sorry to hear that you do not share my heightened enthusiasm. They are totally worth it IMO though. 🙂 I have learnt a great deal from the accessible videos on this channel over the years.

[@richsw]

The quality of the commentary, the images and the video production couldn't be any higher.

[@StarCrusher.]

What amazes me is how well the colours hold up after 800 years. Your explanations are excellent as usual.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

The fortunate thing about illuminated manuscripts is that being books, they are stored closed. That of course keeps the paint in the dark, which preserves color. Thank you for the kind words.

[@GaryArkham]

What a delightful video. Thank you for creating this kind of content.

[@BorselinoThadchack]

So great. Thank yOU!

[@CynthiaPereira-g1d]

This manuscript and your explanation of it are both superb. I visited the Morgan a few years ago but did not see this. Beautiful!

[@SmittenKitten.]

Astonishingly beautiful.

[@Menstral]

10:50 - I see the artist on the left hand side has depicted the pose of the average 18 year old using a cell phone in 2020. He was a visionary.

[@noahkidd3359]

Super interesting!!

[@Sasha0927]

A medieval piece! It's been a while for me, so I'm excited, lol. "Moralized Bible" kind of struck me as "Funny Cavin and Hobbes," but the explanation works better. I'm blown away by the 5k medallions. I'd love to see each and every last one, how amazing. Look at the DETAIL on these tiny images! I can only imagine the skill and dedication it took to make each scene. It'd be my magnum opus just to make one of decent quality, lol. The colophon was stunning with its golden backdrop and bright colors. My guess is that King Louis is holding one of the medallions that is being drawn in the scenes just below. Queen Blanche is instructing him to honor God and thus the creation of this moralized Bible begins - just as she instructs him, the scholar instructs the craftsman. It makes sense to me. 😅 (Dr. O'Driscoll did elaborate on this halfway through the video, but I feel cool for guessing it, so it stays, lol.) This one is a must-see irl. Another reason to head up to NY (and eat pizza). Loved this one. ❤

[@smarthistory-art-history]

I like your interpretation, that the future king is holding (is focused on) one of the moral lessons contained in one of the roundels. Nice!

[@Sasha0927]

Thank you! 🥰 I remembered earlier today various examples in scripture of wisdom and heaven itself being equated with priceless treasure, so I took that as confirmation. It really does seem to suit the scene! @@smarthistory-art-history

[@lalalapassenger]

good stuff!

[@ithinkI-mnotf1nn6y]

Nice video🎉

[@random22026]

0:05 0:12 / 0:18 😁Holy Toledo 😁 0:38 😉 2:29 ☝🏻 3:13 8:12 👌🏻 8:14 8:29 9:02 to 9:08 9:27 to 9:30 10:03 / 10:25 10:34 12:39 /12:44 13:12

[@spankflaps1365]

Nothing like it before? How about the Lindisfarne Gospels, from the SEVENTH century.

[@noahkidd3359]

This work looks very different from the Lindisfarne Gospels.