Commentary on the Apocalypse and commentary on the Book of Daniel
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) in 1910
Christ: in Mandorla -- Two angels, pearled nimbi, holding almond-shaped mandorla enclosing half figure of Christ, pearled crossed nimbus, seated, book in left hand.
Below, Archangel Michael, pearled nimbus, scroll in left hand, transfixing winged Dragon with spear, flanked by two winged fantastic animals supporting the mandorla; starred and decorated background.
Beatus of Valcavado, In Apocalipsin, Praefatio.
This, the finest miniature of the prefatory cycle, serves as a frontispiece for the Apocalypse itself. It is a novel feature of the Las Huelgas Apocalypse and proclaims, from the beginning, the glorious victory of Christ over Satan, an idea reinforced by the apotheosis imagery at the top, where two angels support the blessing Christ in a shieldlike mandorla. They stand on the necks of two fantastic winged creatures flanking Michael, whose heads support Christ's mandorla. The battle between Michael and the Dragon is the subject of chapter twelve of the Apocalypse, and commentators equated Michael with Christ, stating that the dragon (Satan) was defeated by the blood of the Lamb, that is, Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection.