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Original fileInitial 'A' from the Bamberg Apocalypse
BambergApocalypse01InitialA
About This Work
The image features an ornate, large historiated initial 'A' executed in red, green, and gold pigments on parchment. The letter is filled with dense, intertwining vine-like scrollwork in blue and gold that curls into complex knots. Beside the letter, the Latin text is written in a clear black Carolingian or early Gothic script, detailing the opening lines of the Apocalypse.
This illumination is part of the Bamberg Apocalypse (c. 1000–1020), a masterpiece of the Ottonian Renaissance produced in the scriptorium at Reichenau Abbey. It reflects the Carolingian and Ottonian tradition of lavishly decorating sacred biblical texts for imperial patrons.
Inscriptions(Latin)
Ii-20 APOCALIPSIS ihu xpi quam dedit ds palam facere seruis suis que oportet fieri cito. Et significauit mittens p angelum suum seruo suo iohan ni. qui testimonium phibuit uerbo di. et testimonium ih xpi que cumq uidit. Beatus qui le git. et qui audiunt uerba pphetiae hu ius et seruant ea quae in ea scripta sunt. Tempus enim ppe est. Iohannes septem ecclesis quae sunt in asia. Gratia uobis & pax ab eo qui est & qui erat & qui uenturus est. Et a septem spiritibus qui in conspectu throni eius sunt. et ab ihu
Translation
The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John, who hath given testimony to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, whatsoever he hath seen. Blessed is he, that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy; and keepeth those things which are written in it. For the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you and peace from him that is, and that was, and that is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne, and from Jesus...
Connected Texts
Book of Revelation
This initial marks the opening of the biblical Book of Revelation (Apocalypsis Ioannis).