The Making of the Bibles Moralisées

“The reader stands in awe of John Lowden’s magisterial work. His far-reaching findings should serve as an indispensable reference for all future studies not only of the Moralized Bibles but of other genres of medieval books as well.” —Suzanne Lewis, CAA Reviews

“This admirable work makes a major contribution to history—of art, of biblical exegesis and of many aspects of mediaeval religion and society.” —R.P.R. Murray, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

“This is a masterly study, bringing codicological analysis of the extant books into place with art history and theology. The information is diverse and complicated and Dr. Lowden has been allowed the luxury of two volumes and many plates to tell his story. He writes extraordinarily well, with a compelling sense of discovery and logical progression from chapter to chapter.” —Christopher De Hamel, Apollo

“These two handsome and extensively illustrated volumes offer a pioneering general study of the seven known Bibles Moralisées, today divided into thirteen individual manuscripts and spread among libraries in six different cities. . . . This is an extremely interesting and readable study, telling a story fascinating to both historians and bibliographers” —Janet Backhouse, Ecclesiastical History

“One of the most important studies of medieval manuscript illumination published in many years, Lowden's work sets a new standard for interpretive codicology. In these two volumes, Lowden has laid the foundation for all future scholarship on the Bibles Moralisées.” —Jeffrey Hamburger, University of Toronto