Prologue to the Book of Jonah, from the Winchester Bible
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.The intial “S,” rendered as a twisting dragon, shows the artistry of the Master of the Genesis Initial. This initial is the only purely decorative one by this master. A nearby cutout initial must have depicted Jonah being spat up by the whale on the shores of Nineveh. The intertwining forms of serpents, vines, and figures are a form of decoration also found in different media, such as the silver and niello drinking cup displayed nearby.
Artwork Details
- Title: Prologue to the Book of Jonah, from the Winchester Bible
- Date: ca. 1150–80
- Geography: Made in Winchester, England
- Culture: British
- Medium: Tempera and gold leaf on parchment
- Dimensions: 22 15/16 × 15 9/16 in. (58.3 × 39.6 cm)
Opening: 22 15/16 × 31 3/16 in. (58.3 × 79.2 cm) - Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
- Credit Line: Lent by the Chapter of Winchester Cathedral
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters