Bible and Book of Common Prayer by Robert Barker

Bible and Book of Common Prayer 1602 - 1612

print, textile, sculpture

tree

natural stone pattern

water colours

print

bird

textile

text

handmade artwork painting

oil painting

tile art

underpainting

sculpture

painting painterly

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

decorative-art

watercolor

This richly embroidered book cover, created by Robert Barker between 1602 and 1612, depicts the biblical scene of Adam and Eve's temptation in the Garden of Eden. The intricate details include a serpent wrapped around the Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Eve, and a variety of animals and plants. The gold and green geometric border adds a touch of elegance and frames the central scene. This artwork is a fine example of 17th-century English needlework and reflects the importance of religious texts in this period. It can be viewed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.