Vienna Genesis

The Vienna Genesis (Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, cod. theol. gr. 31), designated by siglum L (Ralphs), is an illuminated manuscript, probably produced in Syria in the first half of the 6th century. It is the oldest well-preserved, surviving, illustrated biblical codex.

The surviving text is part of the Book of Genesis in the Greek Septuagint translation. The text is frequently abbreviated. There are twenty-four surviving folios each with miniatures at the bottom of both sides. It is thought that there were originally about ninety-six folios and 192 illustrations. It is written in uncials with silver ink on calfskin vellum dyed a rich purple, placing it very firmly in the category of luxury manuscripts. This shade of purple dye was also used to dye imperial cloth. The Vienna Genesis of the Book of Genesis is the oldest surviving and well-preserved illustrated biblical book known.

The Vienna Genesis relates to the Rossano Gospels and the Sinope Gospels, from roughly the same period.