Dr Mark Purcell
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camlibresearch.bsky.social
Dr Mark Purcell
@camlibresearch.bsky.social
3.9K followers 990 following 490 posts
Director, Research and Collections, Cambridge University Library and CUL Research Institute; Bye-Fellow, Pembroke College; FSA FRHistS; University Deputy Proctor; The Country House Library (Yale, 2017); private views
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Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
englishcathedrals.co.uk
One of Wells Cathedral’s greatest treasures: the Jesse Window.

This #DivineLight is part of a seven-window scheme that forms a beautiful reredos above and around the high altar.

Find out more on our website here ⤵️

https://ow.ly/xOoz50XOLjA
One of Wells Cathedral’s greatest treasures: the Jesse Window. It is part of a seven-window scheme that forms a beautiful reredos above and around the high altar. It dates from c.1340 and is approximately 90 per cent original medieval glass. The artists are unknown, but it is clear from the window’s internal stylistic variations that three were involved. One of Wells Cathedral’s greatest treasures: the Jesse Window. It is part of a seven-window scheme that forms a beautiful reredos above and around the high altar. It dates from c.1340 and is approximately 90 per cent original medieval glass. The artists are unknown, but it is clear from the window’s internal stylistic variations that three were involved. One of Wells Cathedral’s greatest treasures: the Jesse Window. It is part of a seven-window scheme that forms a beautiful reredos above and around the high altar. It dates from c.1340 and is approximately 90 per cent original medieval glass. The artists are unknown, but it is clear from the window’s internal stylistic variations that three were involved.
December 28, 2025 at 5:35 AM
camlibresearch.bsky.social
In Bardejov, in eastern Slovakia. Yesterday afternoon, followed by a surprise this morning.
December 28, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
enniusredloeb.bsky.social
26th December is the feast of St Stephen whose martyrdom is depicted here.
#StStephen
BnF Latin 9436; Missale Sancti Dyonisii; 11th century; Saint-Vaast d'Arras; f.71v @gallicabnf.bsky.social
December 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
enniusredloeb.bsky.social
Writing in the margin

Cologny, Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cod. Bodmer 127; Passionary of Weissenau; 12th century; Premonstratensian monastery of Weissenau, Germany (Diocese of Constance); f.2r
(www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)
December 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
enniusredloeb.bsky.social
26th December is the feast of St Stephen and here's a representation of his martyrdom to be found in the Missel de Limoges.
#StStephen
BnF MS Latin 9438; Missel de Limoges; 12th century; f.20v
@gallicabnf.bsky.social
December 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
enniusredloeb.bsky.social
A little too much Christmas dinner

BL Cotton MS Nero C IV; the Winchester Psalter; f.32r
December 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
enniusredloeb.bsky.social
"vidimus enim stellam eius in oriente, et venimus adorare eum." Matt. 2.2

BL Yates Thompson 2; 'The Ottobeuren Collectar'; 12th century; Germany, S. (Ottobeuren)
December 24, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
profshakespeare.bsky.social
“I see the trick on't! Here was a consent,
Knowing aforehand of our merriment,
To dash it like a Christmas comedy:
Some carry-tale, some please-man, some slight zany,
Some mumble-news”.
(#Shakespeare, Love’s Labour’s Lost)

#MerryChristmas
Title page of Love’s Labour’s Lost
December 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
pembroke1347.bsky.social
Merry Christmas to all our students, staff, Fellows, alumni and friends!

A festive message from our Master, Professor Rosalind Polly Blakesley: youtu.be/DA4Th7G5N54

We wish you a joyful and restful festive season.🎄
Photo taken from the Avenue in Pembroke College in the dusk, looking towards the Chapel, which has light coming through its stained glass window. To the right is the greenhouse, which is decorated with a Christmas tree and lights.
December 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
literaturegeek.bsky.social
Letterpress eye candy from the past couple months, type edition (Prisma, Ben Franklin Initials, TBD 20-line square wood type, TBD 48pt
Photo (digitally reflected for readability) of lead letterpress movable type in the Prisma typeface, a san serif font filled with vertical lines. Some letters are missing and some have multiples. Photo (digitally reflected for readability) of lead letterpress movable type in the Ben Franklin initials style, a serif font with each capital letter positioned on the top half of a bordered rectangle with ornamental design underneath, intended for use as the initial capital letter of a paragraph. Some letters have multiples. Photo (digitally reflected for readability) of wood letterpress movable type in a typeface I haven't identified, a san serif font that produces square-ish looking letters that are 20 lines in size. Some letters are missing and some have multiples. Photo (digitally reflected for readability) of lead letterpress movable type in a typeface I haven't yet identified, a san serif font with calligraphic looking strokes. Some letters are have multiples.
December 25, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
archaeohawke.bsky.social
Discovered in 1972 off the western coast of Calabria in southern Italy, this is one of two full-size ancient #Greek bronzes.
The statue, cast around 460-450 BC, stands 198 cm (78 inches) tall.

#Ancient #Art #History 👀
The Riace Warriors, are two full-size Greek bronze statues of bearded warriors, cast about 460–450 BC[1] that were found in the sea in 1972 near Riace, Calabria, in southern Italy. The bronzes are now in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia in the nearby city of Reggio Calabria. They are two of the few surviving full-size ancient Greek bronzes (which were usually melted down in later times), and as such demonstrate the technical craftsmanship and artistic features that were achieved at this time. The bronzes are now on display inside a microclimate room on top of an anti-seismic platform faced in Carrara marble. Along with the bronzes, the room also contains two head sculptures: Testa del Filosofo and Testa di Basilea, which are also from the 5th century BC. Although the bronzes were discovered in 1972, they did not emerge from conservation until 1981. Their public display in Florence and Rome was the cultural event of that year in Italy, providing the cover story for numerous magazines. Now considered one of the symbols of Calabria, the bronzes were commemorated by a pair of Italian postage stamps and have also been widely reproduced.
December 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
drsueoosthuizen.bsky.social
How delicately a Romanesque angel uses the lightest touch of a finger to wake one of the magi, snuggled with the other 2 under their embroidered circular blanket at St Lazare, Autun, c1130 (& how beautifully the textures of pillow & blanket are represented).

Season's greetings to you all!
December 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
number10cat.bsky.social
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Because I ate it for lunch.
December 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
carinr.bsky.social
I can't get over the feeling that that hand belongs to the ox.
enniusredloeb.bsky.social Ennius @enniusredloeb.bsky.social · 4d
The Nativity, with angels looking on
#Nativity
Basel, Universitätsbibliothek, B IV 26; Homiliarium; 10th century; St. Gall; f.6r (e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)
December 23, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
alisonfisk.bsky.social
Bee-autifully crafted gold ornament in the form of a little bee 🐝 ❤️

Length 1.90 cm. From Minoan Crete, circa 1700-1600 BC.

📷 British Museum www.britishmuseum.org/collection/o...

#Archaeology
The British Museum image shows a Minoan gold ornament in the form of bee viewed from above against a black background. The bee is symmetrical in shape. It has a round head with two large circular eyes. The body is elongated tapering to a point. An almond-shaped wing extends diagonally downward on each side of the body. The body is decorated with rows of tiny raised granules (gold balls) and thin bands, creating a striped abdomen. The wings are outlined with granules and the inner wing is smooth. Length 1.9 centimetres. From Minoan Crete circa 1700-1600 BC.
December 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
sebfalk.com
Christmas appears in Pedro de Medina's "Art of Navigation"! 🎄

Nice to spot it in this 1554 Italian translation (Venice, Pedrezano) at @theul.bsky.social this morning.

Note the commentary on the painless birth of Jesus: he was laid on a bed of hay because there was nothing softer to hand 🌟
Page of old book with calendar featuring commentary in Italian on the nativity – Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem
December 23, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
enniusredloeb.bsky.social
The Annunciation and Nativity
#Nativity
München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, BSB Clm 4453; Evangeliar Ottos III; circa 1000 CE; Reichenau; p.25
December 23, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
rlspang.bsky.social
“Muletide Greetings” (Cami Monet) in the shop of Missouri State Historical Society: a sympathetic portrait of a mule on whom snow is lightly falling. Picture framed by flowers (including cotton?) and a manger scene.
December 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
enniusredloeb.bsky.social
Annunciation to the Shepherds, and the Nativity
#Nativity
Bamberg State Library Msc.Lit. 1; Sacramentary; early 11th century; Fulda; f.25r
December 23, 2025 at 8:15 PM
camlibresearch.bsky.social
#WhathaveIdonethisyear ? - played the stupendously glorious Hill organ at All Saints, Hove, one of the finest and least altered late Victorian instruments in Britain.
December 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
katefarrantshaw.bsky.social
Wintery skies over the magnificent York Minster
#medievalsky
December 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
enniusredloeb.bsky.social
Initial 'C'(um ergo natus esset Iesus in Bethlehem Iuda), depicting a nativity scene in Matthew's gospel
#Nativity
BnF Latin 9388; Evangelia quattuor (Gospels of Drogo); 9th century (between 845 CE & 855 CE); Metz; f.19v
@gallicabnf.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
marcriggsbee.bsky.social
@justinkingdesigns.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
abstracttruth.bsky.social
"Organ-tuning books in English churches provide notes on a warming climate"

"A change of just one degree celsius may alter the pitch of one of these instruments by 0.8 hertz"
Organ-tuning books in English churches provide notes on a warming climate
Researchers have realised the records are a ‘goldmine’ to study changes in environmental conditions
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Dr Mark Purcell
johnmkuhn.bsky.social
Big dog body, small dog chair preferences
December 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM