The Resurrection 

"The Resurrection" was created by the Limbourg brothers in the early 15th century, using precious pigments on vellum, or calfskin parchment. Medieval illuminated manuscripts like this one required a division of labor, with some specialists preparing the vellum, others grinding and mixing pigments, and still others applying gold leaf. Ultra-expensive colors like lapis lazuli were imported from distant lands. It was truly a global, late-medieval enterprise. The intense blues and reds here are not just visually striking; they are also a testament to the patron’s wealth. The very act of commissioning such a work was a display of power and status. Yet the exquisite detail also reflects a devotional purpose: to bring the sacred stories of the Bible to life. Ultimately, the book is a testament to a complex economy and a cultural system where faith, craft, and wealth were deeply intertwined. The manuscript tradition collapsed with the rise of the printing press but continues to resonate today with anyone interested in how devotion is expressed through highly skilled labor.