Leaf from a Beatus Manuscript: the First Angel Sounds the Trumpet; Fire, Hail-stones, and Blood are Cast Upon the Earth
Illustrated Beatus manuscripts bring to life an extraordinary vision of the end of the world, as recorded by Saint John in the Apocalypse (Book of Revelation) and filtered through the lens of Beatus of Liébana, an eighth-century Asturian monk. These manuscripts are unique to medieval Spain and a testament to the pervasive artistry and intellectual milieu of monastic culture there. The leaf shown here comes from a manuscript disassembled in the 1870s.
In this illustration, the trumpeting angel heralds the cataclysm described in Apoc. 8.7: "And the first angel sounded the trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and it was cast on the earth, and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up."
In this illustration, the trumpeting angel heralds the cataclysm described in Apoc. 8.7: "And the first angel sounded the trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and it was cast on the earth, and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up."
Artwork Details
- Title: Leaf from a Beatus Manuscript: the First Angel Sounds the Trumpet; Fire, Hail-stones, and Blood are Cast Upon the Earth
- Date: ca. 1180
- Culture: Spanish
- Medium: Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment
- Dimensions: Overall (folio): 17 1/2 x 11 13/16 in. (44.4 x 30 cm)
Mat: 22 x 16 in. (55.9 x 40.6 cm) - Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
- Credit Line: Purchase, The Cloisters Collection, Rogers and Harris Brisbane Dick Funds, and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1991
- Object Number: 1991.232.8
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
North Spanish
late 12th century
Spanish
after 1200
Spanish
ca. 1150–1200
Spanish
first half 12th century (possibly 1129–34)
Spanish
ca. 1180
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Showing 4 of 5
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.