 A larger image of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Valcavado Beatus Codex, Beatus of Liébana, Spain. |
And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals. And I heard one of the four living creatures saying, "Draw near and see." And I saw a white horse, and the rider was holding a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering. And when he opened the second seal, the second living creature spoke. And a red horse went forth, and it was granted to its rider that he would take peace from the earth, and that they would kill one another. And a great sword was given to him. And when he opened the third seal, the third living creature spoke. And he saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a balance in his hand. And when he opened the fourth seal, the fourth living creature spoke. And I saw a pale horse, and the rider's name was Death, and Hell was following him. And authority was given to him over the four parts of the earth, to destroy by the sword, by famine, and by death. (Rev. 6:1-8)The Valcavado Beatus (Conserved at Valladolid, Biblioteca de la Universidad, MS 433) is a 10th century illuminated copy of the Commentary on Revelation by Beatus of Liebana made by Oveco, a monk from Valcavado Monastery close to Saldaña (Palencia, Castile and León).