Gospels in Arabic and Latin

[Gospels in Arabic and Latin]. Evangelium sanctum Domini Nostri Iesu Christi conscriptum a quatuor Evangelistis sanctis.
Rome: Typographia Medicea, 1591. (Prothro B-12)

The first edition of the New Testament in Arabic and Latin was one of the earliest books of the Typographia Medicea, the press established by Ferdinando de’ Medici for the purpose of disseminating the Gospels in oriental languages. Although intended to aid instruction, the illustrations may have hampered missionary efforts as Muslims were forbidden to contemplate religious images. In the exhibited woodcut, designed by the Italian Mannerist printmaker Antonio Tempesta and cut by Leonardo Parasole, Mary Magdalene suddenly recognizes that the man she sees is not a gardener, but the risen Christ (John 20:16).

THE ELIZABETH PERKINS PROTHRO BIBLE COLLECTION