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The Battle between the Horsemen and the Beast

Unknownabout 1255–1260

The J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies united in making war with him who sat on the horse and with his army. (Apocalypse 19:19)

The seven-headed beast that resembles a leopard returns to the story and makes its final stand against the forces of heaven. The man on the charging white stallion confronts the beast and is usually understood as Christ. The shields of his opponents bear the image of a horned and hook-nosed demon, as opposed to his own Christian cross. The way the soldier on his charging white horse dominates the miniature and crowds the armies of the beast into the right corner assures the viewer of Christ's ultimate victory.

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  • Title: The Battle between the Horsemen and the Beast
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: about 1255–1260
  • Location Created: London (probably), England
  • Physical Dimensions: Leaf: 31.9 × 22.5 cm (12 9/16 × 8 7/8 in.)
  • Type: Folio
  • External Link: Find out more about this object on the Museum website.
  • Medium: Tempera colors, gold leaf, colored washes, pen and ink on parchment
  • Terms of Use: Open Content
  • Number: 83.MC.72.41
  • Culture: English
  • Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. Ludwig III 1, fol. 41
  • Creator Display Name: Unknown
  • Classification: Manuscripts (Documents)
The J. Paul Getty Museum

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