Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel
Unknown Artist
c. 1290
![Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel by Unknown Artist](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.artheonmuseum.org%2Fcleveland%2Fthumb%2Fbifolium-from-a-bible-initial-e-t-factum-est-with-ezekiel-cleveland-135736.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Medium
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Dimensions
40.3 × 53.7 cm
Classification
Manuscript
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Harold T. Clark Educational Extension Fund
Accession Number
1959.272
About this artwork
This large initial E on the left page introduces the Book of Ezekiel. The prophet is represented in the midst of his apocalyptic visions. Ezekiel's call to prophecy began as a vision showing God enthroned among four creatures, each with four wings and the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle, respectively. These apocalyptic beasts recur in the Book of Revelation and were developed by the medieval Church into symbols of the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Since medieval manuscripts were...