Original leaf from a medieval manuscript folio Bible with illuminations from the Johannes Grusch Workshop. France: Paris, c. 1247.
Formerly owned by the Royal Abbey of St. Genevieve in Paris.
Latin gothic script, hand-written in brown ink, on animal vellum. (290 x 193 mm - 11.6 x 7.7")
Rubricated chapter numbers, initials and marginalia in red and blue. 50 lines of text in double columns
Ten multi-line illuminated initials alternating in red with delicate blue pen-work, and blue with delicate red pen-work – extending into the margins and continuing the length of the leaf in red and blue; numerous one-line illuminated initials alternating in red and blue.
The large size of the page is unusual in 13th century Bible production!
The first line begins Psalm 128:2 - 138:5: "Expugnaverunt..." (Often have they fought against me from my youth...Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord...Lord my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty...O Lord remember David, and all his meekness...Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity...Behold now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord...Praise ye the name of the Lord...Praise the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever...Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat...I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart...Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me...).
Presented in an archival 16x12'' mat
