Bound Manuscript: The Miracles of Mary (Te'amire Maryam)
Late 17th century
Medium
Parchment, ink, tempera, wood, leather, cotton, and string
Dimensions
36.8 × 31.8 × 9.5 cm (14 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 3 3/4 in.)
Classification
manuscript
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
158772
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Created under King Yohannes (1667–1682) or King Iyyasu I (1682–1706), this manuscript in the First Gonderine style—with bold outlines and a rich palette—includes 32 painted scenes narrating the miracles performed by the Virgin Mary, a series intended to guide weekly devotion. These codified ‘Miracles of Mary’ became one of the most popular themes for religious books after the intensification of Marian worship in the mid-15th century.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...