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EDLD 5366 Ancient Manuscript Reflection

Bible from Ethiopia

As I browsed online through the pages of the Bible from Ethiopia, I was blown away by the rich and vivid colors that popped from every page.  The details in every illustration as well as the geometrical patterns in each harag throughout the manuscript are so intricate and vibrant that it immediately draws the attention of the reader.

Right from the beginning of the manuscript you start to see the different design elements, starting with the contrast of the black and red text.  Throughout the manuscript you can observe the contrast used with the main text written in black ink, while the titles and necessary rubric within the text and illustrations are written in red.  Also, each of the illustrations called miniatures is outlined in different colorful borders which frame the artwork nicely.   The element of repetition is also seen through the recurrent use of harags, which are illuminations of interwoven climbing plants.  Even though each of these harags is unique in design, they are a repeated design element throughout this manuscript.  The use of decorative and ornamental birds at the top of some of the illustrations is also repeated throughout the manuscript.  The alignment in this bible is seen immediately at first glance.  Every single text frame and illustration is centered on the page.  The text within the frames is justified to be aligned to both the left and right margins.  As far as proximity, some of the illustrations have inscriptions in red either above or to the side of their frames.  I’m assuming those are notes inscribed to depict or explain what is happening in the miniatures.

The author was able to lavishly illustrate the most important events from the Old Testament in this rich and vivid manuscript.  Every miniature is meticulously painted and the intricate designs on the harags and frames around each illustration and text really exalt the importance of this manuscript.  It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful Bibles I’ve ever seen.