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Hebrew Bible

1300–1350 (before 1366)
On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 14
Jews in medieval Spain referred to the Bible as the Sanctuary of God, a sacred surrogate for the lost—and longed-for—Temple of Jerusalem. As a result, Hebrew Bibles came to be splendidly adorned, in a manner worthy of that holiest of places. This manuscript comprises the full text of the Bible, with complete vocalization, accentuation, and critical apparatus (or masoreh), with the most impressive decoration marking the beginning and end of each book and four special biblical songs. Decorative elements found in both Islamic and Christian manuscripts have been embraced, clear evidence of shared artistic taste that transcended cultural and religious prejudices.

The manuscript bears the signature of an early owner, David ha-Kohen Coutinh[o], who penned his name in its pages on Rosh Hashanah, 1366.

For a complete set of images of this manuscript, see: Utopia, armarium codicum bibliophilorum, cod. 6 (JUD040): Bible with Masora magna and Masora parva (https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/one/utp/0006)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hebrew Bible
  • Date: 1300–1350 (before 1366)
  • Geography: Made in Castile, Spain
  • Culture: Spanish
  • Medium: Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment; leather binding
  • Dimensions: 476 folios: 9 5/16 × 7 15/16 in. (23.7 × 20.1 cm)
    Binding: 9 15/16 × 8 3/4 × 4 1/4 in. (25.2 × 22.3 × 10.8 cm)
  • Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 2018
  • Object Number: 2018.59
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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