Historiated Initial from a Bible
A Bible manuscript leaf from around 1131, made by an unknown scribe and illuminator, probably for a monastic or cathedral reader. The large historiated initial shows a bearded prophet in blue and orange robes holding a scroll, set within a red and green letter with a gold-and-green heading band above. A designer might take the flat, rhythmic figure, the bold framing of text by colour blocks, and the interplay of inked lettering with painted ornament.
