The Book of the Four Gospels of Solca

1623

Written by an anonymous calligrapher in Slavonic, on thick filigreed paper with the image of an aurochs, this large manuscript, in folio, has 316 pages, out of which two are completely blank (14 and 15).

The text is written in black China ink, while the dots and the numbers of the decorations are drawn in red China ink. The title pages are richly decorated with flowery-borders and multicoloured title pages, bearing the same traditional motifs of intertwined circles and variously-combined wreathed decorations. The capitals of the titles, tall and thin, are written in red China ink, as well as the intertwined decorations of which the initials are made. The initials have, however, been added a few ornamental details, of very small dimensions, that contain other colours as well.

The Book of the Four Gospels of Solca was not decorated from the beginning with the portraits of the evangelists; the pages reserved for them were left blank for a long time - presumably until the 18th century.


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