Dutch History Bible
The Royal Library of the Netherlands holds an illustrated bible known as the Dutch History Bible (Nederlandse Historiebijbel). This 'bible historiale' contains 69 decorated letters at the beginning of Bible books, called historiated initials, and more than 500 miniatures and drawings that illuminate the texts.
The text, in Dutch, is composed from a 14th century Bible translation from Belgian Brabant and from a translation by Johannes Scutken (†1423), a monk. It also contains stories from secular history and sections from Jacob van Maerlant's Rhime Bible.
The illustrations were made by artists from a group now called the Utrecht masters of the first generation. Most of them are anonymous: Alexander Master (a draughtsman), Claes Brouwer, Psalter Master, Masters of Otto van Moerdrecht, Master Azor, Master F, and the Gethsemane Master (illuminators).
This website shows miniatures from the books Esther and Judith.
Related works of art:
Anonymous: Achior before Holofernes (ca. 1430)
Anonymous: Achior liberated by the Israelites (c. 1430)
Anonymous: Death of Haman (15th century)
Anonymous: Death of the Eunuchs (15th century)
Anonymous: Esther before Ahasuerus (15th century)
Anonymous: Haman and Ahasuerus visit Esther (15th century)
Anonymous: Haman Convinces Ahasuerus (15th century)
Anonymous: Holofernes Burns a City (ca. 1430)
Anonymous: Holofernes' Head into the Bag (ca. 1430)
Anonymous: Holofernes' Head on the Walls of Bethulia (ca. 1430)
Anonymous: Israelites Cover the Altar (c. 1430)
Anonymous: Judith is Angry with the Elders and goes to the Assyrians (ca. 1430)
Anonymous: Judith is Praised by Ozias (ca. 1430)
Anonymous: Judith Shows Holofernes' Head to the Bethulians (ca. 1430)
Anonymous: Mordecai is led through the city by Haman (15th century)
Anonymous: Queen Vashti Refuses to Appear before Ahasuerus (15th century)
Anonymous: The Citizens of Bethulia Complain about the Lack of Water (ca. 1430)
Anonymous: The Envoys Return to Nabuchodonosor (ca. 1430)
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