Building in Jerusalem 

This is a page from a medieval illuminated manuscript, probably made around 1410 by the Limbourg Brothers. It shows the construction of a building in Jerusalem. The materials are traditional: parchment, ink, and pigments painstakingly applied. Gold leaf highlights details, a luxurious touch. Notice the figures building with simple tools, a crane lifting blocks of stone. The artist captures the coordinated effort required, implying the workers' skill and physical labor. On the left, we see a regal figure, presumably overseeing the construction. His rich attire indicates a sharp class division, a reminder of who profits from all this work. The meticulous detail, from the workers’ clothing to the architecture, emphasizes craft traditions of the time. While the elite enjoyed such fine books, the labor of those who built the physical world was largely unseen. This image is a testament to the skill of both manuscript painters and builders alike. It challenges our modern separation of art and craft.