The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of March 26, 2024
Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel
c. 1290
Sheet: 40.3 x 53.7 cm (15 7/8 x 21 1/8 in.)
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.- ?-1959Mrs. Otto F. Ege, Cleveland, OH, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art1959-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