Pilsener Bible (Plzeň Bible)

New Plzeň, 1446
Parchment
This Latin Bible – Old and New Testament – with some Czech glosses is a beautiful example of the little known style of illumination of Pilsen (Plzeň) in the mid-15th century. Several artists contributed to its illustrations.
Fol. 4r: At the start of the book Genesis the history of creation is represented in seven medallions between the two text columns. From the top to the bottom there are: the creation of the world and the separation of light and darkness, the separation of the waters above and the waters below, the separation of the sea and the dry land and the creation of the plants, the creation of the sun, moon and stars, the creation of sea and land creatures, the creation of man and woman, Adam and Eve kneeling and praying before the seated God, who warns them not to eat the fruits of the tree of knowledge. At the bottom edge of the page, medallions show further episodes from Genesis: the fall of man, the expulsion from paradise by the angel, Eve spinning, Adam working in the field, the offering by Cain and Abel and the fratricide by Cain.