Ashburnham-Pentateuch
The Ashburnham Pentateuch (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS nouv. Acq. Lat. 2334 ) is an illuminated manuscript, which was probably made in the 7th century. It is among the oldest surviving illustrated biblical codices. It contains illustration of the Pentateuch called Books of Moses from the Old Testament.
Origin
The Ashburnham Pentateuch and his paintings are believed to have originated in North Africa or Spain. Italy also has been proposed as the source.
History of the manuscript
The manuscript was in the library of St. Gatien Cathedral in Tours, therefore it is also called the Bible of Tours or Pentateuch of Tours. In 1842 it was stolen from there by Count Guglielmo Libri art thief. It arrived in 1847 by selling the property of the manuscript collector Bertram, 4th Earl of Ashburnham ( 1797-1878 ), and then finally in 1888 in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.
Contents of the manuscript
The manuscript illustrated the Latin Űbersetzung the text of the Five Books of Moses, known as the Pentateuch. However, the entire book of Deuteronomy and parts of the other books are lost today. Have survived a total of 142 pages with 19 illustrations, 18 images in the text and also embellished table of contents. Probably the master had created more than 65 images. The text was written with a very high probability of a recorder and not by the master himself.
Oldest surviving Bible Illustrations
The images of the Ashburnham Pentateuch are among the oldest surviving Bible illustrations. Especially her portrayal of Genesis, the Jewish- Christian conception of the creation story, was seen early on in the art historical research as insight into the minds of the early Middle Ages. They show up today, as the thoughts of this creation and the beginning of the biblical tradition were then interpreted.
Style of painting
The Ashburnham Pentateuch explains the text in moving pictures, the environment shown, such as Architecture of the buildings or clothing of people is reportedly on small - Asian styles such as inspired from the region around Palmyra. In some cases a cycle of a story is told in several images on a page. The structure and flow of the narrative and the gestures of the people can be seen as theatrical.