Hortus deliciarum

The Hortus deliciarum (Latin for Garden of Delights) was a medieval pictorial encyclopedia compiled by the nun Herrad of Landsberg at the Hohenburg Abbey in Alsace, better known today as Mont Sainte-Odile.

[2] It was an illuminated encyclopedia, begun in 1167 as a pedagogical tool for young novices at the convent.

The manuscript contained poems, illustrations, and music, and drew from texts by classical and Arab writers.

[1] Interspersed with writings from other sources were poems by Herrad, addressed to the nuns, almost all of which were set to music.

[2] The most famous portion of the manuscript is its 336 illustrations, which depicted theological, philosophical, and literary themes amongst others.

Philosophia et septem artes liberales (Philosophy and the Seven Liberal Arts), as illustrated in the Hortus deliciarum . ( Description of the illumination )
An illustration of the ecclesia from the Hortus deliciarum
Hell , as illustrated in the Hortus deliciarum .
The Devil can be seen at bottom right.