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The Escorial Beatus (Escorial, Biblioteca Monasterio, Cod. & II. 5) is a 10th-century illuminated manuscript of the Commentary on the Apocalypse by Beatus of Liébana. The manuscript was probably created at the monastery at San Millán de la Cogolla. There are 151 extant folios which measure 395mm by 225mm. The manuscript is illustrated with 52 surviving miniatures. Of the original illustrations within the commentary, twenty-seven of the original illustrations are left. Compared to other illuminated manuscripts, including other illuminated manuscripts at the time, the Escorial Beatus is slightly smaller in comparison. The Escorial Beatus is one of the most well-known illuminated manuscripts that make use of the Mozarabic style of art. This would later lead to influence other well known artistic styles, including styles like Romanesque and Carolingian.
However, there are a few instances in which the text does not necessarily correspond with the imagery in the illuminations. Although the reason behind this is not fully understood, it is possible that the text had already existed, but the illuminator did not read it. Although the text and illuminations may have been produced together at the same time, this discrepancy suggests that the illuminator was not the scribe. The actual scribe likely wrote the inscriptions in the margins to provide an index to the proper subject for the illuminator.
The illuminations of the manuscript show similarities in style to those produced by Florentius, the artist responsible for a copy of the Moralia in Job of Pope Gregory I (Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional, Cod. 80).
Earlier copies of the Beatus Commentary were different in visual style, and did not have many of the traits that would be associated with the Mozarabic style. It did not have characteristics such as the wide eyes, the banded backgrounds, nor the patterning or posing associated with the Mozarabic style, which is one of the features the Escorial Beatus is most known for.
The Escorial Beatus provides a good example of the Mozarabic style of art. Unlike other manuscripts that were found with the Escorial Beatus, the way that drapery and clothing folds are rendered are almost completely flat. The Escorial Beatus is an example of the anti-plastic style, which is associated with the Mozarabic school. In other manuscripts, the "plastic" style refers to the specific manner in which drapery and clothing folds are rendered, in a tubular fashion. However, the Escorial Beatus is rendered in a notably flat style.
The Mozarabic style of art takes its inspiration from Africa, Islamic, and North European artistic traditions. This exposure to Islamic tradition stems from when the Arabs invaded the Iberian Peninsula in the year 711. The Christians who were already living in the Iberian Peninsula then adopted different traditions from Islamic styles, including motifs, form and style.
These influences would contribute to the Mozarabic style, which would then go on to influence Romanesque and Carolingian styles. As a result, the Escorial Beatus links these various styles together. Mozarabic is a style that is not limited to just religious illuminations and illustrations, but the Mozarabic style can be found in textiles, ceramics, and even architecture. However, by the year 1110, the Mozarabic style was dying in popularity, then leaving the Romanesque style of art to flourish in Spain.
The imagery of the illuminations is taken from tales in the Bible, although most notably, there are illustrations, with accompanying commentary, depicting the apocalypse. Many of these illustrations depict the Revelation, which Beatus had felt was essential in understanding the Bible as a whole. The first illumination depicts Adam and Eve, while the last illumination depicts Daniel.
Beatus of Liébana likely had knowledge of other commentaries and their illuminations, as the illuminations in Escorial Beatus resemble the style and picture found in commentaries like the Daniel Commentary.
Accessed 16 April 2024.
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