Treasures of the Vatican Library

Biblical Treasures from the Vatican Library – A Look at 12 Centuries of Book Art

The Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana houses one of the most significant Bible collections in the world – a paradise for theologians, historians, and art lovers. An exclusive selection of twelve manuscript leaves showcases the impressive diversity of this collection: from an early Christian papyrus of the 3rd century to the magnificently illustrated Renaissance Bible of Niccolò d’Este – written in the then-uncommon vernacular.

With leaves from the Lorsch Gospels, a Gospel book of Henry II, and Syrian, Coptic, and Byzantine Bibles, a fascinating cross-section of language, style, and culture unfolds. This unique compilation makes it clear: The history of the Bible is also the history of book art – rich in gold, ornamentation, and spirituality.