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The Eagle Giving the Vessels with the Seven Last Plagues to the Seven Angels

Unknownabout 1255–1260

The J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States

After [the song] I looked; and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was open. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed with clean and white linen, and encircled around the chests with golden sashes. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden vessels, full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the majesty of God, and from his power, and no one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. (Apocalypse 15:5-8)

The illuminator chose to represent the eagle as the living creature who hands out the vessels. At the bottom of the miniature is John's description of what he heard: Et audivi vocem magnam de templo dicentem VII angelis ite et effundite VII phialas ire dei in terram (And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels: Go and pour out the seven vessels of the wrath of God on the earth).

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  • Title: The Eagle Giving the Vessels with the Seven Last Plagues to the Seven Angels
  • 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.72.31
  • Culture: English
  • Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. Ludwig III 1, fol. 31
  • Creator Display Name: Unknown
  • Classification: Manuscripts (Documents)
The J. Paul Getty Museum

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