The Vienna Genesis: Material analysis and conservation

The Vienna Genesis (Austrian National Library, Codex Theologicus graecus 31) is a fragmentary Greek manuscript of the Book of Genesis written on purple dyed parchment with silver ink. It is assumed that the book was created in the first half of the 6th century in the Near East. 24 folios with 48 miniatures have survived and have been stored at the Austrian National Library since 1664. The Vienna Genesis is famous for its illuminations, the richest preserved biblical cycle from Late Antiquity. The silver inks degradation, which has resulted in extensive damage to the parchment, was observed as early as 1664 when the manuscript was incorporated into the Vienna Court Library. In a three-year research project supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF the parchment, the silver inks, the pigments and dyes were investigated. The detailed material analysis formed the base for conservation and preservation of the manuscript. The book describes the different studies of the project and their results: How was parchment made in Late Antiquity? How was parchment dyed purple? What is the purple dye of the Vienna Genesis? What is the composition of the silver ink and what are the causes of the severe damage? Which colours were used by the painters? How many painters worked on the 48 miniatures? How can the Vienna Genesis be best conserved for future generations? Many different specialists created the precious manuscript in the 6th century. Many different specialists investigated and conserved it in the 21st century. We want to share our new findings on Late Antique book art and its preservation with a wide audience.