The Holkham Hall Manuscripts and Printed Books

Medieval

British Library

1300 - 1400

Among the twelve manuscripts purchased from the Holkham Library, the three produced in the 14th century are of outstanding artistic merit: 1) the English Bible Picture-Book; 2) the copy of Aristotle's Secreta Secrerorum written and illuminated for presentation to King Edward III; 3) the great Italian Bible which once formed part of the Library of the Anti-Pope Clement VII (elected 1378). The Bible Picture-Book is a treasure comparable to the Luttrell Psalter, ArtFunded in xxx. It consists of 42 leaves, filled with three distinct series of Biblical scenes - (a) the Old Testament from the Creation to the Flood; (b) the Life of Christ, and (c) the Fifteen Signs preceding the Last Judgment, based on some lost Apocalypse.

• Medium: manuscript
• Art Fund Grant: £10000 ( Total: £95,000)
• ArtFunded in: 1952

Provenance

From the Library of the Earls of Leicester at Holkham Hall, founded in the 16th century by Sir Edward Coke, and greatly augmented by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl.

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