This
magnificent Bible demonstrates the artistic awakening of the abbey in the
Cauche region of c. 1120-1130. The style of its decoration is mainly
characterised by its ornamented initials, more rarely historiated, and uses
the decorative repertoire of the previous period, with varied combinations of
interweaving patterns, foliage patterns, human and animal figures. The
handling of colour varies: two are executed in gouache, on a gold background;
and some highlighted in water colour: in folio 59 v°, the letter H of the
word Haec is only ornamented: traced in brown ink, with highlights in green,
standing out from a blue background; crouching figures and fabulous animals
adorn the ensemble. Later, in folio 72 v°, at the beginning of the book of
Joshua, the letter E illustrates the scene where God appears to Joshua. The
majority of the initials are however traced by pen and ink without the
addition of colour: in folio 148, king Solomon is enthroned at the centre of a
large letter C. Two characters seem to be suspended at the extremities of the
letter.
Bible
