GALLERY
From The
Koninklijke Bibliotheek
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GALLERY
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From The
Koninklijke Bibliotheek
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THE HISTORY
BIBLE
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One
of the most impressive achievements of Dutch manuscript painting is no
doubt the creation of a continuous cycle of illustrations for the Bible
translation known as the Dutch History Bible. The text itself is a compilation
from translations by the "translator of 1360", probably a monk from Belgium's
Brabant region, and Johannes Scutken, a monastic from the Devotio moderna
circles. |
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The biblical narrative is complemented by stories from secular history, while difficult passages are explained by means of sections from Jacob van Maerlant's Rhime Bible - usually outlined in red in the manuscripts. This adaptation met with considerable success, especially in the Northern Netherlands: some twenty copies - complete or in part - are still known, most of them made in Utrecht and dating from between 1430 and 1478. The two-volume History Bible belonging to the Koninklijke Bibliotheek is the most abundantly illustrated copy in existence. It contains as many as 69 historiated initials (large illustrated initials at the head of each page) at the beginning of the individual books, and 509 small miniatures within the text. | |
History Bible. Utrecht, c. 1430. Vellum, 2 vols, 291+298 leaves, 400 x 302 mm. Provenance: purchased by King William I and placed in the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, 1829. |
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The illumination was executed by eight artists, six of whom undertook the greater of the work. The history of Samson was painted by the Master of Otto van Moerdrecht, who executed 136 miniatures for the books beginning with the book of Joshua. His style is characterized by bright colors and small, doll-like figures, moving about in an undulating landscape with jagged rocks, and always a stream in the foreground. |
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| This miniature shows Samson carrying the doors of the gate of Gaza on his back. |  |
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Delilah is cutting Samson's hair, the source of his strength. | ||
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