One of the greatest treasures that British Library owns, among its vast collection of manuscripts, is The Isabella Breviary, a late 15th century codex that has the most beautiful illuminations from Flemish artists of that period in time. On our art book, we offer you full-colour images of all the paintings from the original manuscript.

Among the many miniatures of the Breviary, made by six different artists, stand out the illuminations created by the Master of the Dresden Prayerbook, its main artist, as well as those made by the Master of James IV of Scotland, who added Renaissance elements to the work. Nigel Morgan, Emeritus Honorary Professor of the History of Art at Cambridge University, describes one by one all these images.

This art book is a unique, original and accurate masterpiece. Furthermore, on its 352 pages, you will find full information on the historical context of an amazing manuscript that Queen Isabella received back in 1497 from her ambassador, Francisco de Rojas, as a gift to commemorate both her children’s wedding. This art book reviews all the international alliances of this time in history, marked by the territorial expansions that followed the discovery of America.

CONTENTS:

- From the editor to the reader

Manuel Moleiro

- Introduction

Scot McKendrick (Head of History and Classics at the British Library)

- The historical context and provenance

Elisa Ruiz García (Professor of Diplomacy and Paleography, Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

Scot McKendrick

- Contents and authorship

Nigel Morgan (Emeritus Honorary Professor of the History of Art, Cambridge University)

Scot McKendrick

- The illustration and decoration

Nigel Morgan

- Appendix

- Bibliography

VIDEO (5 min.):

English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T40mG1yvAjM

Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEYcdKAR2ys

French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khgtIjxfkPI

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.moleiro.com/en/art-books/the-isabella-breviary-1.html