Manuscript Leaf with Opening of The Book of Nehemias, from a Bible
Not on view
Illustrating the Biblical book that bears his name, Nehemias, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, traveled to Jerusalem and oversaw the rebuilding
of the city walls. Here he kneels before the king and receives permission to make the journey. The lively drawing emphasizes the dialogue between king and servant, who has just entered the king’s space (the initial), his back leg still trailing outside the curve of the letter V.
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