The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 26, 2024

Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel

Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel

c. 1290
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

This bifolium was likely once part of a Carthusian Bible; the initials in the margin are part of a unique reading system used by Carthusian monks.

Description

This large initial E on the left page introduces the Book of Ezekiel. The prophet is represented in the midst of his apocalyptic visions. Ezekiel's call to prophecy began as a vision showing God enthroned among four creatures, each with four wings and the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle, respectively. These apocalyptic beasts recur in the Book of Revelation and were developed by the medieval Church into symbols of the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Since medieval manuscripts were not paginated, this large initial provided a clear visual cue for the reader to help locate the text of Ezekiel within the manuscript.
  • ?-1959
    Mrs. Otto F. Ege, Cleveland, OH, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1959-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Devotion and Leaning in the Middle Ages- (Manuscript Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).
    The Glory of the Painted Page: Manuscript Illuminations from the Permanent Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 6, 2010-April 17, 2011).
    Cleveland Museum of Art, (11/06/2010 - 04/17/2011); "The Glory Of the Painted Page: Manuscript Illuminations from the Permanent Collections"
    Illuminated Manuscripts. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (October 10, 2004-October 2, 2005).
    The Cleveland Museum of Art (10/10/2004 - 10/02/2005); "Illuminated Manuscripts"
    The Decorated Letter and the Illuminator's Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 25-December 19, 1993).
    Scriptorium: The Illuminated Book in Medieval Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 5, 1991-February 2, 1992).
  • {{cite web|title=Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel|url=false|author=|year=c. 1290|access-date=26 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1959.272