This French manuscript Bible was written around 1275 A.D. The text is in a minute Gothic scribal hand, written on vellum, and decorated throughout with fine penwork in red and blue inks and historiated illuminated letters. The opening illustration shown is from the Book of Genesis. The first word of the verse is “Incipit” and the full-page illuminated letter “I” that decorates the page contains representations of the Seven Days of Creation and, in the bottom lobe, the Crucifixion of Christ. The illuminations and penwork are characteristic of thirteenth-century French manuscript illumination design, and this Bible is a particularly fine example of the art form.
Biblia latina (Bible in Latin). France, thirteenth century. Manuscript on vellum. Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress
Call number: Rosenwald #3
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