The Bible in the Armenian Tradition (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum) [Hardcover]

Vreg Nersessian (Author)

Book Description

Series: Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum | Publication Date: June 21, 2001

The Bible in the Armenian Tradition provides a concise historical account of the development of the Bible in Armenia and the illustrative traditions that are represented in surviving codices. The author focuses on the origins of the first translations of the Bible into Armenian in the fourth century, which inspired the Armenian alphabet itself. A range of beautiful Armenian Bible manuscripts from collections throughout the world are illustrated in full color and compared with western Bible illuminations. Later printed Armenian Bibles are also examined in detail, revealing fascinating examples of religious differences between the Armenian and the Catholic Christian traditions.
This survey of Armenian Bible history is an important reference for biblical scholars and anyone with an interest in the history of Christianity.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Armenian Gospels of Gladzor is the catalog for an exhibition at the Getty Museum highlighting the Gladzor Gospels. This early 14th-century book, currently disbound for conservation, was loaned from its neighbor institution, the Young Research Library at UCLA. Mathews (Inst. of Fine Arts, NYU) and Taylor (West Los Angeles Coll. and exhibition organizer) discuss its art history within the complex Armenian political history (a map is included). A chapter on themes within these Gospels from Gladzor includes a fascinating section on the prominence of women in the pictures. The 60 full-page color plates are stunning, and while Persian, Greek Orthodox, Syrian, and Western Christian influences can be seen, they have their own uniquely Armenian character. Thus, although Treasures from the Ark places illuminated manuscripts within the context of other types of religious art (like sculptures and liturgical textiles), The Armenian Gospels of Gladzor focuses in depth on one specific manuscript. And just as its title emphasizes, The Bible in the Armenian Tradition itself uses illuminations as a means to understand and remember the biblical text. Libraries in cities with Armenian populations, like Los Angeles, will want all three books. Yet precisely because they are not mainstream, other academic and public libraries may want to consider one or all of these titles to introduce more people to the aesthetic appeal and intense devotion manifested in Christian Armenian art. Anne Marie Lane, American Heritage Ctr., Laramie, WY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Vrej Nersessian is curator of collections of the Christian Orient at the British Library and author of Armenian Illustrated Gospel Books (1987), as well as many scholarly catalogues and bibliographies.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: J. Paul Getty Museum; 1 edition (June 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892366400
• ISBN-13: 978-0892366408
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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