The woman garbed by the sun and the dragon 975

This page from the Book of Revelation, depicting "The woman garbed by the sun and the dragon," was made around the year 975 by the artist Ende, probably working in a Spanish monastery. The manuscript is made of vellum, or animal skin, and painted with mineral pigments and inks. The vibrant colours and bold outlines are typical of medieval Iberian art. The artist skillfully used the contrast between light and dark shades to create depth and drama. Look closely, and you'll see the laborious process behind the work. From preparing the vellum to grinding pigments and applying each brushstroke, it would have involved a significant amount of time and skilled labor. The materials are not ‘high-art’ materials, but neither are they especially rustic. Ende has clearly tried to give the image a striking visual presence, making the most of the costly pigments. Thinking about the materials and processes used to create this image helps us appreciate the intense effort required to produce such a manuscript. It blurs the boundary between art and craft, inviting us to consider the social and cultural significance embedded in the making of art.