Leaf from a Latin Bible: Initial P: St. Paul with a Sword and a Book

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Leaf from a Latin Bible: Initial P: St. Paul with a Sword and a Book as manuscript (England, Oxford, 13th century · c. 1230–40).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

The initials in the margin, T.F. and P.A. are part of a unique system used by the Carthusians monks and indicate that this bible was likely used in a monastery.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this manuscript as ink, tempera, and gold on vellum and credits William de Brailes (English, active c. 1230).

The museum's collection notes: Circle of William de Brailes (England, Oxford) Single Leaf from a Latin Bible: Initial P: St. Paul Holding a Sword and a Book and Initial M: A Jew Discoursing with a King, about 1230-40 Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection [Cat. no. 4] Few English illuminators are actually known by name. William de Brailes has been identified from documents that refer to his presence in Oxford. Moreover, his signature appears on one of seven detached psalter leaves now divided between Cambridge (Fitzwilliam Museum) and New York (Pierpont Morgan Library). It seems that several artists were working in the "de Brailes style," bu

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtLeaf from a Latin Bible: Initial P: St. Paul with a Sword and a Book

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