Treasures in the Royal Library


Back | Main

Parts of the Old Testament in Greek. Constantinople c. 990.
GkS 6 2º. Parchment, 232 ff.

Click for enlarged image Click for enlarged image
Fol. 32v: Text example Fol. 83v: King Solomon and
Jesus Sirach


This manuscript contains i.a. the Book of Job, the Proverbs of Solomon, the Book of Prayers, and the Song of Songs translated into Greek, wreathed with commentaries placed with great decorative subtlety. It also contains a full-page illumination depicting King Solomon and Jesus Sirach in a composition going back to Roman art.
In Byzantium the manuscript was appreciated as a magnificent work of art. A note says that it belonged to Lukas Notaras, the last “prime minister” of Byzantium, who was executed following the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The manuscript ended up in Italy where it was divided into two or more parts. The Copenhagen part was purchased by Frederik Rostgaard (1671-1745), Danish collector of books and state archivist, in Venice 1699. It has been in the possession of the Royal Library since 1732.

c. 36 x 27 cm.


Back | Main

© Det Kongelige Bibliotek 2003