Hebrew Bible: Castle Ramparts with Knightly Pursuits (fols. 444v-445)
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.Some of the most inventive decoration in this bible resides in the compendium of Hebrew grammar included at the back of the book. Each double-page spread of the supplementary text provided the artist, Joseph the Frenchman, with an opportunity to experiment with elaborate framing devices. Here, four men stand atop the ramparts of a castle, one armed with a sword, another with a crossbow, while a third practices the medieval sport of hawking.
Artwork Details
- Title: Hebrew Bible: Castle Ramparts with Knightly Pursuits (fols. 444v-445)
- Artist: Illuminated by Joseph the Frenchman
- Date: 1299–1300
- Geography: Made in Spain
- Medium: Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment
- Dimensions: Overall: 11 7/16 x 8 7/8 x 3 15/16 in., 9.464lb. (29 x 22.5 x 10 cm, 4.293kg)
- Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
- Credit Line: Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal, Lisbon (BNP, IL.72)
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
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