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. Call number:
Rosenwald #3 2 of 16