Leaf from the Epistle to the Hebrews 1101

This leaf, created in 1101 by Joannes Koulix, is a beautiful example of a Byzantine manuscript. The page is adorned with a decorated border framing a section of text from the Epistle to the Hebrews. This decorative element, known as an “initial,” helps to visually highlight the beginning of a new section of scripture. While the text is in Greek, the colorful decoration and the figure of a saint holding a book illustrate the importance of this manuscript for the dissemination of religious knowledge. The page, now held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to the artistry and religious devotion of the time.