Medieval Bible Leaf - De Brailes - Miniature of Paul

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Original leaf from an English manuscript pocket Bible. From a Bible illuminated in the workshop of William de Brailes - one of the few 13th century English illuminators known by name! (De Brailes maintained an active workshop at Oxford c. 1238-52.  He was the illuminator of the Oxford Bible). Written in Latin gothic script, in brown ink on animal vellum. (185x130mm) 

Rubricated chapter numbers, initials and marginalia in red and blue. 54 lines of text in double columns (10 lines per inch!).  For sister leaf see Blackburn Collection, Cleveland Museum of Art, pl. 4.                                        

Produced in Oxford, c. 1240 A.D.

The historiated six-line initial ''P'' extends into the margin and has a wonderful creature’s head at the bottom. The initial contains a miniature painting of St. Paul – holding a sword and book. It begins Ephesians 1:1 - 4:11: ''Paulus apostolus…'' (Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ… Now in Christ Jesus, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  For he is our peace...Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hop of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ...).

This leaf, from a ''portable'' Bible during the period of the Crusades, would have been used in the abstract study of theology or the preaching of the Gospel around the medieval countryside.

Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.

  • Inventory# IM-1521
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