This landmark catalog presents the full scope of Calouste Gulbenkian’s collection of European illuminated manuscripts, acquired between 1919 and 1937 and now housed at the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon. The volume documents 27 codices and 10 fragments, spanning the 12th to 16th centuries, and showcases the collector’s refined taste and commitment to preservation.
The catalog is the result of years of scholarly collaboration and restoration efforts, particularly following the 1967 flooding at the Marques de Pombal Palace. Essays by leading manuscript experts explore the codicological structure, provenance, iconography, and artistic significance of each item. The entries are divided into two sections: one focused on technical and material analysis, the other on historical and stylistic interpretation.
Highlights include French Gothic psalters, Italian humanist texts, Flemish devotional books, and rare fragments from German and Iberian traditions. The catalog also reflects Gulbenkian’s personal vision as a collector, emphasizing coherence and nuance across diverse regional styles.
Lavishly illustrated and academically rigorous, this volume is essential for scholars of medieval art, manuscript studies, and museum collections. It marks a major contribution to the field and celebrates the enduring legacy of one of the 20th century’s most discerning patrons
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