Phoenix Art Museum, 12/11/2007-03/25/2008

Phoenix Art Museum presents three important exhibitions devoted to the book arts, all focusing on handmade Bibles from throughout history – Illuminating the Word: The Saint John’s Bible showcasing the monumental manuscript being crafted right now, The Early History of the Bible from the world-class collection of sacred manuscripts at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and selections from the James Melikian Collection here in Phoenix.

They bring together the old and the new: illustrated hand-written manuscripts produced in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance – from an 8th century Egyptian fragment to a 17th century Torah scroll – and the only handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned since the advent of the printing press more than 500 years ago, combining a centuries old tradition of craftsmanship with modern imagery and technology.

“Great art thrives from true inspiration — no matter the origin.  And this exhibition illustrates inspiration beautifully.” -Phoenix New Times