Prefatory cycle of full-page miniatures
Texts and Images
Presented as pairs on double openings, the six miniatures are painted on one side of the leaves, leaving the other side of the costly parchment blank. This is one of the numerous indications that no expense was spared in the production of this manuscript. Painted by a single artist (Hand A), the miniatures illustrate the end of David’s reign and the beginning of Solomon’s. Originally, there would have been more images, since the inventory of Charles V’s collection describes the manuscript as starting with numerous images (‘pluseurs histories au commencement’).
David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem
Playing his harp, King David approaches the gate of Jerusalem, bringing the Ark of the Covenant back. His wife Michal looks out of a window. Illustrating an episode in the Old Testament Book of Kings (II vi.15-16), this scene was painted by Hand A.