Handwritten Bible scripted in Wales returns to ancient tradition
By Martin Revis   

London, 21 April (ENI)–One of the foremost Western calligraphers
is producing a complete handwritten, illuminated Bible for the
first time since the invention of the printing press in Europe in
the 15th century from his studio in Wales. 

Donald Jackson, scribe to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Crown
Office at the House of Lords, is five years through the
seven-year US$3.4 million project commissioned by the Benedictine
Saint John’s Abbey and the Saint John’s University in the US
state of Minnesota. 

From his scriptorium in Wales, Jackson oversees scribes, artists,
and craftsmen who work with him on the handwriting and
illumination of the seven-volume, 1150-page Bible. 

"I usually start by taking a large brush and putting it in ink
and begin," he explained. "From these marks will grow a feeling
for the mood of the piece and the elemental theme. From this I
weave in the detail." 

He receives instructions on the passages chosen for illustration
by goose quill on vellum, from a committee of scholars,
historians, and artists. Inks derived from hand-ground silver,
copper gold and other precious minerals are employed. 

For the first time since the start of the project, pages from the
St John’s Bible went on display outside the United States, at
London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The exhibition runs until 1
May and features selections from "Prophets", the fourth volume of
the Bible. 

The completed work, bound in Welsh oak, will be housed in
Collegeville, Minnesota at the Museum and Manuscript Library of
Saint John’s University. When open, it will measure two feet in
height  (60 centimetres) and three feet (90 centimetres) in
width.   

The hand-drawn illuminations depict scripture from an ancient and
modern perspective, including concepts of science, space and
technology.   

"Illuminated manuscripts have always marked the time and place in
which they were created, and The Saint John’s Bible will reflect
our world at the beginning of the twenty-first century for future
generations," said Brother Dietrich Reinhart, president of Saint
John’s University. [342 words] 

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Ecumenical News International 
Daily News Service 
21 April 2006 

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