string(21) "edanmdm:fsg_F1906.274" Washington Manuscript III - The Four Gospels (Codex Washingtonensis) - National Museum of Asian Art
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Washington Manuscript III - The Four Gospels (Codex Washingtonensis)

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 373
IIIF

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At A Glance

  • Period

    late 4th-early 5th century

  • Geography

    Egypt

  • Material

    Ink on parchment

  • Dimension

    H x W (overall): 20.8 x 14.3 cm (8 3/16 x 5 5/8 in)

  • Accession Number

    F1906.274

  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1906.274

Object Details

  • Description

    The Four Gospels, in one volume, bound in painted board covers (F1906.297-298). Small, sloping uncial writing in dark brown ink; one column; 30 lines to the page; 372 written pages on 187 leaves.
    For a full description, see: Sanders, Henry A. "Washington Manuscript of the Gospels" University of Michigan Humanistic Series, Vol. IX, Part l.

  • Provenance

    Possibly once in the possession of the Monastery of the Vinedresser, near Giza, Egypt [1]
    To 1906
    Ali Arabi, Giza, Egypt, to 1906 [2]
    From 1906 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Ali Arabi in Giza, Egypt, on December 19, 1906 [3]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [4]
    Notes:
    [1] See Curatorial Remark 7, citation of Fr. Theodore Peterson, St. Paul's College, Catholic University, 1957, in the object record. See also, Curatorial Remark 6, undated folder sheet note, in the object record.
    [2] See Original Miscellaneous List, Biblical Mss. Section, S.I. 1467, L. 3, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
    [3] See note 2.
    [4] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection

  • Exhibition History

    The Peacock Room Comes to America [2011-2016] (April 9, 2011 to January 4, 2016)
    In the Beginning: Bibles Before the Year 1000 (October 21, 2006 to January 7, 2007)
    Christian Art (April 10, 1978 to October 12, 1978)
    Christian Art (December 1, 1971 to April 7, 1978)
    Christian Art (January 1, 1963 to May 15, 1968)
    Untitled Exhibition, Armenian and Byzantine Art (July 28, 1958 to January 1, 1963)
    Centennial Exhibition, Gallery 6 Alcove (February 25, 1956 to July 22, 1958)
    Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Near Eastern Art, East Corridor (October 26, 1955 to November 10, 1955)
    Special Exhibition, Armenian Manuscripts and East Christian Art (February 15, 1955 to April 13, 1955)
    Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Near Eastern Art, 1947 (June 18, 1947 to October 26, 1955)
    Untitled Exhibition, Armenian Manuscripts, Gallery 6, 1947 (April 23 to October 3, 1947)
    Untitled Exhibition, Armenian Manuscripts (December 20, 1944 to October 6, 1947)
    Untitled Exhibition, Persian and Near Eastern Art (May 5, 1933 to September 24, 1947)

  • Previous custodian or owner

    Ali Arabi (ca. 1840-1932) (C.L. Freer source)
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

  • Origin

    Egypt

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer

  • Type

    Manuscript

  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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