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The Lamb Taking the Sealed Book and an Angel and the Elders Singing Praises

Unknownabout 1255–1260

The J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States

In the central medallion, the lamb with seven horns and seven eyes takes the book with the seven seals from the Son of Man. "And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vessels full of aromatic spices, which are the prayers of saints. And they sang a new canticle." (Apocalypse 5:8-9)

The illuminator rendered this visionary imagery in a remarkably literal manner. The lamb stands on his hind legs to receive the book. To the left and right, the elders' instruments fall from their hands as they kneel.

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  • Title: The Lamb Taking the Sealed Book and an Angel and the Elders Singing Praises
  • 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.72.5v
  • Culture: English
  • Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. Ludwig III 1, fol. 5v
  • Creator Display Name: Unknown
  • Classification: Manuscripts (Documents)
The J. Paul Getty Museum

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