The Master of the School of Távara
Maius was a Mozarabic monk, painter, illustrator, and illuminator who worked in the scriptorium of San Salvador de Tábara between approximately 926 and 968. He is a significant figure in the tradition of illuminated Mozarabic Beatus manuscripts, particularly through his work on the Morgan Beatus (also known as the Escalada Beatus), which dates to around 950. This manuscript is recognized as one of the earliest illuminated copies of the Beatus commentary on the Apocalypse.
His technical skill is evidenced by his elegant miniatures and balanced, detailed compositions. In the Morgan Beatus, Maius identifies himself twice: once on folio 233v with the text MAIUS MEMENTO and again in an acrostic in the colophon on folio 293r. His quality as an illuminator was such that a student referred to him as the archipictor, or master painter.
Artistic Style and Technique
The works of Maius are characterized by several distinct elements that define the Mozarabic tradition. His illuminations include:
His compositions demonstrate an awareness of Andalusian art, visible in the use of horseshoe arches and specific decorative motifs. For instance, in the scene of Belshazzar's Feast, the figures sit under a horseshoe arch featuring the alternating white and red tiles characteristic of the Córdoba mosque. His work shows stylistic connections to the illuminations of the Valeránica Bible and the scriptorium of San Martí de Tours.
