From The Bury Bible (f.1v) 12th century, England.
Goat parchment 280mm×190mm, Japanese 24kt gold leaf, Gouache painting
The Bury Bible is a giant illustrated Bible written at Bury Saint Edmunds in Suffolk, England between 1121 and 1148, and illuminated by an artist known as Master Hugo.
This is an important example of Romanesque illumination from Norman England.
The letter F, first letter of “Frater Ambrosius”, is beautifully decorated. At the bottom of the letter, we can see a half naked man standing on a flower, holding a basket of fruits trying to reach for grapes.
