Manuscript Leaf with Opening of The Book of Nehemias, from a Bible

Manuscript Leaf with Opening of The Book of Nehemias, from a Bible

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Illustrating the Biblical book that bears his name, Nehemias, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, traveled to Jerusalem and oversaw the rebuilding of the city walls. Here he kneels before the king and receives permission to make the journey. The lively drawing emphasizes the dialogue between king and servant, who has just entered the king’s space (the initial), his back leg still trailing outside the curve of the letter V.

Medieval Art and The Cloisters

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Manuscript Leaf with Opening of The Book of Nehemias, from a BibleManuscript Leaf with Opening of The Book of Nehemias, from a BibleManuscript Leaf with Opening of The Book of Nehemias, from a BibleManuscript Leaf with Opening of The Book of Nehemias, from a BibleManuscript Leaf with Opening of The Book of Nehemias, from a Bible

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world. Displayed in both The Met Fifth Avenue and in the Museum's branch in northern Manhattan, The Met Cloisters, the collection encompasses the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome in the fourth century to the beginning of the Renaissance in the early sixteenth century. It also includes pre-medieval European works of art created during the Bronze Age and early Iron Age.