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Illuminated manuscripts

The painting of illuminated manuscripts is undoubtedly Armenia’s other great contribution to the world of art. The beauty and skill represented in the many surviving examples is rarely equalled and never surpassed in other lutures. Extensive sates of pictures were used to illustrate manuscripts of the books of the Bible and obviously books such as Genesis or Exodus, where there is plenty of physical action, lent themselves particularly to this art form with some manuscripts having up to 750 illustrations.

The most elaborate manuscripts tended to be those of the four gospels which were frequently bound with sumptuous covers of ivory or metalwork. The purpose of these books was as an aid to worship. They were made to be displayed on the altar as well as to be used by the priest reading to the congregation. A very few examples survive which pre-date the Arab conquest in 640.

Manuscripts, particularly those believed to be endowed with miraculous powers, were given special names such as Savior of All, Resurrector of the Dead. The names of the sponsor and the creators are carefully recorded so that they might be recalled by those who used the manuscripts. These manuscripts can be seen in Matenadaran (Manuscript Library) in Yerevan.