Library News
St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition Comes to Pepperdine for Special Exhibition
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Posted by Michael Dula
As the annual Bible Lectures descend upon the Pepperdine University Malibu Campus, attendees will discover a unique addition to the normal program – a special exhibition of the St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition, to be displayed in the Frederick R. Weisman Museum, and in part at the Payson Library from May 4-15.
The Heritage Edition is the only full-size, fine art reproduction of The Saint John’s Bible, the first handwritten, illuminated bible to be commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in 500 years. The reproduction is one of only 299 copies of the original Saint John’s Bible that will ever be produced. The first was presented to Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in April 2008. The Saint John’s Bible, commissioned by the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s Abbey and University, is a timeless work of sacred art, created to ignite spiritual imagination and bring alive the word of God in this new millennium.
(Photo: Ecclesiastes, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2006, The Saint John’s Bible and the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA.)
From May 4-15, the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine will open a special exhibition of the St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition Wisdom Books volume, which will be on display along with framed illuminations from the Heritage Edition series including:
· Praise the Lord, Psalm 150 by Sally Mae Joseph
· Psalms Book IV Frontispiece by Donald Jackson
· Vision of the Son of Man – Daniel 7:9-14 by Donald Jackson
· Garden of Eden by Donald Jackson
· Creation by Donald Jackson and Chris Tomlin
· Adam and Eve by Donald Jackson
· Demands of Social Justice by Suzanne Moore
The Pepperdine Libraries will also host a special exhibition in the Special Collections and University Archives department that will feature the Heritage Edition Psalms volume on display along with gathers from the Pentateuch volume, which will be released this summer. The St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition will accompany other rare and historic bibles on display during lectureships, May 4-7. The Psalms volume and Pentateuch gathers will also be on display with a separate collection of rare hymnals during the Ascending Voice Conference, May 12-14.
Through the blended use of ancient techniques and modern methodology, themes, and technology, the construction of this Bible parallels that of its medieval predecessors, written on vellum, using quills, natural handmade inks, hand-ground pigments and gold leafing.
The reproduction has involved the finest printing experts and binders in the world to ensure faithful representation of the original Bible. Each page and illumination has been scrupulously compared to its original counterpart to guarantee accurate reproduction. World-renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson, senior scribe to Her Majesty the Queen’s Crown Office at the House of Lords in London, England and the artistic director of The Saint John’s Bible, is art directing the Heritage Program.
Benefactors, collections, churches, colleges, libraries and museums are acquiring the reproductions through direct purchase or donation. Proceeds from the sales of reproductions of The Saint John’s Bible will continue preservation of endangered manuscripts worldwide and support a permanent home for The Saint John’s Bible and scholarly work related to this masterpiece. (Photo: Garden of Desire, The Saint John’s Bible. Copyright © Terry Anderson Photography.)
“Pepperdine University’s 2010 Bible Lectures provide an ideal setting for the beautifully displayed fine art reproductions of The Saint John’s Bible,” said Jim Triggs, executive director of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program. “The Saint John’s Bible is a work of sacred art that glorifies the Word of God and ignites the spiritual imagination of people throughout the world. We encourage the attendees to spend time with the illuminated pages and learn more about this gift made possible by the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s University.”
Learn more about the St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition by visiting: http://www.saintjohnsbible.org
Learn more about the times and locations of these special exhibits by visiting: http://library.pepperdine.edu
Contact Melissa Nykanen at (310) 506-4434 or Melissa.Nykanen@pepperdine.edu for more information.
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