Scribe Collection

Papyrus of Ani (Book of the Dead) - The Judgement
(Above) -Twelve Gods seated in Order, as judges before a table of offerings. (Below) - The Psychostasia of Weighing of the Conscience of Ani

The Venerable Bede translating the last chapter of St John
1275249 The Venerable Bede translating the last chapter of St John

Scribe copying manuscripts in the Middle Ages
Medieval scribe writing at a desk, surrounded by open manuscripts. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Page from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
A page from a version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, narrating events of the years 772 to 794

Court of Exchequer
3086765 Court of Exchequer by English School, (15th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: After one of a series of manuscripts showing the four courts at Westminster Hall)

Court of Common Pleas
3086763 Court of Common Pleas by English School, (15th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: After one of a series of manuscripts showing the four courts at Westminster Hall)

Folio of Codex of the Usages depicting the Catalan Parlia
Alfonso IV of Aragon called the kind (1299-1336). King of Aragon and count of Barcelona as Alfonso III, from 1327 to his death. Son of James II and Blanche of Anjou

Medieval scholar, 16th century

The Seven Liberal Arts, illustration from Hortus deliciarum
XIR219019 The Seven Liberal Arts, illustration from Hortus deliciarum by Herrade de Landsberg (1125-95) (ink on vellum) (b/w photo) by German School, (12th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Jeremiah (650-585 BC) dictating his prophecies to Baruch. En
Jeremiah (650-585 BC). Hebrew Prophet. Jeremiah dictating his prophecies to Baruch. Engraving by Pannemaker. The Bible in pictures by Gustave Dore. Colored

Stela of the royal scribe Ani. Egyptian art. New Kingdom. Relief. EGYPT. CAIRO. Cairo. Egyptian Museum

The Seated Scribe. 28th-23rd c. BC. It belongs to the 4th or 5th dynasty. Painted limestone, glass rock eyes inset into copper. It was found in the Old Kingdom burial ground at Sakkara. Egyptian art

CODEX AMIATINUS: EZRA. Ezra the scribe writing in a large codex held on his knees. Illumination from the Codex Amiatinus, Northumbria, early 8th century

Interior of the Harem with a scribe. Date: circa 1910s

Japanese poet under a cherry tree
Japanese mother and infant meeting a poet under a cherry tree. Lithograph reproduction of a painting by Genjiro Kataoka, circa 1910

The Scribe, (oil on canvas)
651541 The Scribe, (oil on canvas) by Deutsch, Ludwig (1855-1935); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Scribe. Ludwig Deutsch (1855-1935)

Saint John the Evangelist, from a facsimile copy of the Gospels of Mac Regol
STC386300 Saint John the Evangelist, from a facsimile copy of the Gospels of Mac Regol, published by Day & Son (colour litho) by Irish School

Montezuma Declares his Allegiance to the King of Spain before Cortes (oil on canvas)
XIR174135 Montezuma Declares his Allegiance to the King of Spain before Cortes (oil on canvas) by Spanish School, (16th century); Museo de America, Madrid, Spain; Spanish, out of copyright

1st Baron Cozens-Hardy
Herbert Hardy Cozens-Hardy, 1st Baron Cozens-Hardy (1838 - 1920). British politician and Master of the Rolls from 1907 - 1918."

Reconstructed stele from Memphis scribe depicting votive offering ex-voto to propitiate healing ears
DGA922039 Reconstructed stele from Memphis scribe depicting votive offering ex-voto to propitiate healing ears; Papyrus Museum, Cairo, Egypt; (add.info.: Cairo)

Offering formula, granary with scribe and man picking up grain
DGA3027084 Offering formula, granary with scribe and man picking up grain, detail on sarcophagus of Queen Ashit, 2050 BC, Egyptian civilization, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty XI; Egyptian National Museum

Granary and scribe responsible for record-keeping
DGA3027083 Granary and scribe responsible for record-keeping, sarcophagus of Queen Ashit, 2050 BC, Egyptian civilization, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty XI; Egyptian National Museum, Cairo

Gospel Book, 1386. Creator: Unknown
Gospel Book, 1386. Additional Info: This Gospel book was written in 1386 by Armenian monk and scribe Petros, who identifies himself in an inscription at the end of the manuscript

Dispute between two knights about the Immaculate Conception, in a tournament ordered by the Emperor. Chromolithography after a miniature in Chants Royaux sur La Conception, 16th century

Reception of a knight of the Order of Saint Michael
Reception of a knight of the Order of Saint-Michel (Order of Saint Michael), French military order founded by King Louis XI (1423-1483) in Amboise on 1 August 1469. Engraving by J

A monk at his desk in a scriptorium, c
KWE3742767 A monk at his desk in a scriptorium, c.1200, from the book Short History of the English People by J.R. Green, pub. London 1893; (add.info.: A monk at his desk in a scriptorium, c.1200)

Tribunal of the King's Bailiff. Engraving. Facsimile
Tribunal of the King's Bailiff. Facsimile of a woodcut from Praxis Rerum Civilium by Josse Damhoudere. Antwerp, 1557

Clovis I (ca. 466-511). King of the Franks (481-511). Clovis in the midst of the military chiefs who formed his Treuste, or armed court, dictates the Salic law (code of the Barbarian laws)

Courts of Lerida (Lleida), 1375. Catalan Courts that were convened in 1375 by King Peter IV the Ceremonious (1319-1387) in Lerida (Lleida)

Prophetic Medicine
UIG2625361 Prophetic Medicine; (add.info.: The final page of the treatise on Prophetic Medicine by al-Dhahab? (d. 1348/748). The copy is dated in the colophon 14 Dhu al-Hijjah 868 (19 August 1464)

Augustin Eugene Scribe, 1791 - 1861, a French dramatist and librettist

Augustin Eugene Scribe, 1791 - 1861, a French dramatist and librettist

Jesus Ben Sirach, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Jesus Ben Sirach, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Jesus Ben Sirach, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Jesus Ben Sirach, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Jesus Ben Sirach, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Jesus Ben Sirach, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Ezra Reads the Book of the Law, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Ezra Reads the Book of the Law, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Ezra Reads the Book of the Law, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple, Old Testament, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

The Man with the Fleas, naked man in bed is bitten by fleas and scratches his body, painting by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

Young Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) eating leaf while scratching itchy armpit, native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), young sitting, scratching

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), young scratching

Young Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) eating leaf while scratching itchy armpit, native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra

Scribe at work with quill and knife at a writing desk, 9th centu
Scribe at work with quill and knife at a writing desk, seated on a chair with footrest, 9th century. Ecrivain

Chair and scriptorium, 10th century
Chair with ornate carved back and cushion with tassels, and scriptorium or inkstand, 10th century. Siege et Ecritoires

Saint Mark; Gospel Book, about 1120-1140. Creator: Unknown
Saint Mark; Gospel Book, about 1120-1140. Additional Info:A portrait of Saint Mark heralds the opening of his Gospel

Saint John the Evangelist Dictating; Gospel Book, 1386. Creator: Unknown
Saint John the Evangelist Dictating; Gospel Book, 1386

Scribe Writing, probably Eadmer of Canterbury, about 1140-1150. Creator: Unknown
Scribe Writing, probably Eadmer of Canterbury, about 1140-1150

Scribe Writing, probably Eadmer of Canterbury, about 1140-1150. Creator: Unknown
Scribe Writing, probably Eadmer of Canterbury, about 1140-1150

Various French costumes, 9th century. Soldier in Carolingian helmet, scribe writing at a desk, three women in long gowns with bombarde sleeves

Edward I forming an alliance with Guy, Earl of Flanders, 1294
King Edward I of England forming an alliance with Guy de Dampierre, Earl of Flanders, 1294

An orator speaking to a crowd in a forum, ancient Rome. The speaker is attended by a clerk accensus or scribe librarius. L'Orateur Romain. Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by L

The Scribe Petros and his Pupils; Gospel Book, 1386. Creator: Unknown
The Scribe Petros and his Pupils; Gospel Book, 1386

Trades of China, Qing dynasty, 1800s. Scribe writing with a brush at a desk 1, printer's workshop 2, banker/money clipper 3, bookseller 4, embroiderer 5, and woman stocking maker 6

Tomb mosaic depicting scribe, from Tabarka
DGA918694 Tomb mosaic depicting scribe, from Tabarka, Tunisia, Early Christian period, 4th-5th century; Musee National du Bardo, Le Bardo, Tunisia; (add.info.: Tunis)

Native American council and conquistadors meet around fire
History of the United States of America. Native American council and conquistadors meeting around a fire. Engraving by Vernier. Panorama Universal

Native American council and conquistadors meeting
History of the United States of America. Native American council and conquistadors meeting around a fire. Engraving by Vernier. Panorama Universal

Painted limestone statue of the Seated Scribe from Saqqara, detail
DGA601379 Painted limestone statue of the Seated Scribe from Saqqara, detail; Louvre, Paris, France; (add.info.: Egyptian civilization, Old Kingdom)

Medieval amanuensis, 14th century (miniature)
LRI8987119 Medieval amanuensis, 14th century (miniature); Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana, Florence, Italy; (add.info.: Medieval amanuensis Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Florence); Luisa Ricciarini

Relief depicting scribes, Mastaba of Ti
DGA3026206 Relief depicting scribes, Mastaba of Ti, Necropolis of Saqqara, Memphis (UNESCO World Heritage List, 1979), Egypt, Egyptian civilization

Votive table showing the cartouches of Djedkare Isesi and Sneferu
DGA915799 Votive table showing the cartouches of Djedkare Isesi and Sneferu, alabaster, from Saqqara, Egyptian Civilization, Old Kingdom; Egyptian National Museum, Cairo, Egypt; (add.info.: Cairo)

Egypt, Cairo, Ancient Memphis, Saqqara, farming themes relief at tomb of Nefer and Ka Hay
DGA508317 Egypt, Cairo, Ancient Memphis, Saqqara, farming themes relief at tomb of Nefer and Ka Hay; (add.info.: Egypt - Cairo - Ancient Memphis (UNESCO World Heritage List, 1979). Saqqara

Egypt, Thebes, Luxor, Sheikh Abd al-Qurna
DGA571987 Egypt, Thebes, Luxor, Sheikh Abd al-Qurna, Mural paintings showing votive offerings in Tomb of scribe and granary accountant at Amon's estate Amenemhat, ; (add.info.: Egypt)

Prince Setka, son of Didoufri, depicted as scribe
DGA921814 Prince Setka, son of Didoufri, depicted as scribe, quartzite statue, 30x23 cm, uncovered at Abu Rawash, Egyptian civilization, Old Kingdom, Dynasty IV; Louvre, Paris

Scribe holding papyrus, statue in painted limestone
DGA918515 Scribe holding papyrus, statue in painted limestone, from Saqqara, Detail, Egyptian Civilization, Old Kingdom, Dynasty V; Egyptian National Museum, Cairo, Egypt; (add.info.: Cairo)

The poet Reinmar von Zweter dictating to scribe
DGA766206 The poet Reinmar von Zweter dictating to scribe, miniature from the Manesse Codex, cod pal germ 848, 1300-1340, Switzerland, 14th century; Photo © NPL - DeA Picture Library

Notker the Stammerer, c. 840 - 912
KWE709526 Notker the Stammerer, c. 840 - 912, aka Notker the Poet or Notker of Saint Gall. Musician, author, poet and Benedictine monk at the Abbey of Saint Gall

Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia, book
ARV945557 Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia, book by German Photographer, (20th Century); Private Collection; © Arkivi UG All Rights Reserved

Egypt, Thebes, Luxor, Sheikh Abd al-Qurna
DGA571982 Egypt, Thebes, Luxor, Sheikh Abd al-Qurna, Mural paintings in Tomb of scribe and granary accountant at Amon's estate Amenemhat, ; (add.info.: Egypt, Thebes (UNESCO World Heritage List)

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EDITORS COMMENTS

The art of the scribe has transcended time and cultures, leaving behind a rich legacy of knowledge and creativity. From the ancient Papyrus of Ani (Book of the Dead) to the intricate illustrations in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, these skilled individuals played a vital role in preserving history. In medieval times, scribes meticulously copied manuscripts, ensuring that valuable texts were not lost to time. Their dedication can be seen in depictions such as The Seven Liberal Arts from Hortus deliciarum or the Folio of Codex depicting Catalan Parliament. These works showcase their attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Scribes also held important positions within legal systems like the Court of Exchequer and Court of Common Pleas. They recorded proceedings with precision, ensuring justice was served and documented for future generations. Beyond administrative duties, scribes were often scholars themselves. In 16th-century Europe, they immersed themselves in academia, contributing to intellectual pursuits alongside renowned thinkers. Their work helped shape our understanding of various subjects throughout history. From ancient Egypt's Stela of Ani depicting a royal scribe to The Seated Scribe statue dating back thousands of years before Christ, these artifacts demonstrate how highly regarded this profession was across civilizations. Even beyond written records, scribes found inspiration in nature and poetry. A Japanese poet sitting beneath a cherry tree captures their connection with beauty and contemplation while transcribing thoughts onto paper. Throughout history, whether it be recording prophecies like Jeremiah dictating his visions or copying manuscripts by candlelight during medieval times – one thing remains constant: the indispensable role played by these dedicated individuals known as scribes.