Early Medieval Bible Illumination and the Ashburnham Pentateuch by Dorothy Verkerk
Lori Eshleman
REVIEWS 310 brewing industry in the later Middle Ages and his treatment of Judith Bennett ’s gendered analysis women late medieval England. She argues that shift from small-scale domestic production ale, which dominated, to commercial hopped beer reveals continuity patriarchy persistent marginalization women’s work. Ale was a low status, low-profit, part-time craft acceptable for women. The arrival beer, however, attracted professional , male brewers who ultimately pushed into marginal lessprofitable sectors industry. Thus, roles changed, but their lowstatus did not.34 Unger argues, on other hand, England exceptional remained important members industry, with many continuing brew throughout this period parts northern Europe, including Scotland. While offering an counterbalance, argument also relies idea both tavern-owning were profitable ventures women, even though tavern-keepers heavily critiqued. Greater attention lives livelihoods these might have shed more light issue. Nevertheless, provides excellent overview development presents story manner will allow future historians delve deeper entrepreneurs question impact alcohols Renaissance society. MARK P. O’TOOL, History, UC Santa Barbera Dorothy Verkerk, Early Medieval Bible Illumination Ashburnham Pentateuch (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2004) x + 262 pp., ill. richly illustrated (Paris, BNF lat. nouv. acq. 2334) has long presented scholarly conundrum as its origins models. It been ascribed, variously, Africa, Spain, southern France, Dalmatia, Illyrium, Syria, Italy. In her intriguing new book, Pentateuch, Verkerk seeks place it firmly within Roman milieu sixth early seventh centuries, between reigns Pope Gregory Great Honorius I. Drawing liturgy, catechetical, exegetical literature, paleographic iconographic comparisons, she weaves persuasive words “place(s) fascinating manuscript mainstream culture” (197). chapter 1, challenges some basic assumptions about Pentateuch: is provincial origins; style illustrations mediocre format haphazard; iconography derives primarily Jewish art literature. doubts books tended marginalize field studies. search origins, suggests focused too narrowly selective details rather than addressing evidence provided by whole. widely embraced theory 34 M. Bennett, Ale, Beer, Brewsters England: Women's Work Changing World 1300–1600 (New York Oxford 1996). 311 influences draws limited broadly divergent dates such earlier frescoes at Dura Europos or much fourteenth century illuminated manuscripts. parallels motifs can be found demonstrates shares very similar “cultural patterns” antique Christian catechistic literature Augustine’s De catechizandis rudibus (32). fact, maintains largely intended didactic tool teaching clergy. second gives script, text, illuminations provenance, reassesses manuscripts overall importance. tells us dated stylistic evidence; text one earliest surviving examples Vulgate. reassessing quality miniatures, praises evocative colors, detail, “astonishingly rich illustration” (51). book Tours date, where influenced Carolingian Bibles, well as...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies