Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel

Cleveland Museum of Art

Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel

Date
c. 1290
Medium
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Culture
France, Paris
Department
Medieval Art
Institution
Cleveland Museum of Art

This large initial E on the left page introduces the Book of Ezekiel. The prophet is represented in the midst of his apocalyptic visions. Ezekiel's call to prophecy began as a vision showing God enthroned among four creatures, each with four wings and the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle, respectively. These apocalyptic beasts recur in the Book of Revelation and were developed by the medieval Church into symbols of the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Since medieval manuscripts were not paginated, this large initial provided a clear visual cue for the reader to help locate the text of Ezekiel within the manuscript. This bifolium was likely once part of a Carthusian Bible; the initials in the margin are part of a unique reading system used by Carthusian monks.

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