Morgan Beatus

[1] Having been created at some time in the 10th century, the Morgan Beatus is one of the oldest examples of a revived Spanish apocalypse tradition, and one of the earliest works of so-called Mozarabic art.

The Apocalypse and the commentary on this scripture by Saint Beatus of Liébana became one of the most important religious texts of the Middle Ages, and was often illustrated very fully.

Instead, this manuscript makes use of signatures consisting of Roman numerals followed by the letter "Q" There are two miniature bearing folios signed in this fashion.

The fact that these signatures are Roman numerals, and not Arabic, suggests against the bookmakers being local or Mozarab vocations to the monastery scriptorium.

With this newfound artistic style, Maius aimed to reflect biblical references through the inclusion of the angels falling from heaven fighting the dragon alongside the archangel Michael, and the crown of 12 stars above the woman’s head, referencing the imagery often associated with the Virgin Mary and the Christ child.

This piece, along with many others, serves as commentary on the apocalypse which was later defined under the term Adoptionism; the view in which Jesus was born a human child and then adopted by God as His son.

Maius’ contributions in Woman clothed with the sun escaping from the dragon also exemplifies how he furthered the artistic abilities in Christian art.

Through the use of stylized Mozarabic elements such as vibrant color palettes in the background, to the abstract depictions of humans, animals, and patterned borders, Maius offered and attesting bridge between the Christian and Islamic communities even during a time of serious power struggles.