On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Gospel Book
Not on view
John (Yovhannes), an Armenian serving as a ranking officer in the Byzantine military, presents his Gospel Book written in Armenian to the Virgin and Child. Colophons, or inscriptions in the text, identify him as serving under Duke Thotorakan in the service of the Emperor Basil II, both of Armenian heritage. Throughout the Middle Ages, Armenians had extensive relations at all levels with the Byzantine Empire and its capital Constantinople. A later owner added the text in Greek.
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
