The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. This new exhibition will present physical evidence of the Bible’s development before 1000. Some of the world’s earliest Biblical texts will be on display, including pages and fragments written in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, Armenian, Ethiopian and Coptic. One of the many highlights of the exhibition will be portions of Charles Lang Freer’s fourth- and fifth-century Greek Old Testament manuscripts, known as the “Codex Washingtonensis.” By viewing the varied papyrus fragments, parchment pages, illuminated manuscripts and jeweled bindings, visitors will learn about who created these books, how Bibles were used in worship and how the book was transformed over hundreds of years. The exhibition is scheduled to coincide with the annual meetings of ASOR, SBL and NEAS this fall in Washington, DC.
The Frick Collection
New York, New York
(212) 288–0700
www.frick.org
October 24, 2006–January 7, 2007
Domenico Tiepolo (1727–1804) was one of the foremost Venetian artists of the late 18th century. During his life he produced a cycle of scenes from the New Testament that included 313 large, ink-and-wash drawings. Tiepolo’s work was sold and scattered after his death, but this new exhibition at the Frick will display approximately 60 of the finest drawings from the series, having been brought together for the first time from collections throughout the United States and Europe. The drawings are a touching expression of personal piety combined with artistic ability. The cycle will be printed in its entirety in a catalog to be published by Indiana University Press.
The Walters Art Museum
Baltimore, Maryland
(410) 547–9000
www.thewalters.org
November 4, 2006–January 28, 2007
This collection of illuminated medieval missals—liturgical manuscripts and printed books made for the celebration of the Catholic Mass—explores the changing iconography of the missal in the Middle Ages, with a particular emphasis on illustrations for the text of the Canon of the Mass. The exhibit will comprise 13 manuscripts, four printed books and a selection of contemporary altar furnishings. Featured will be the famous St. Francis Missal, the manuscript many believe Francis used to divine God’s will for the Franciscan religious order. The exhibition is one of several events planned to mark the reopening of Baltimore’s historic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in November.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Washington, DC
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