Creation and fall from BL YT 20, f. 1

Miniature divided into eight arcades showing scenes from Genesis: in the top four God divides the earth with compasses; makes the sun with a hammer; bends down to put a large fish in the sea as various beasts look on; and draws Eve from the rib of sleeping Adam; in the lower scenes he shows the Tree of the Knowledge; the serpent encourages Adam and Eve to eat the fruit; an angel with a sword drives Adam and Eve, from the garden; and in the final scene Adam uses a spade, Eve spins with a spindle; decorated initial 'P'(ource), and partial borders, at the beginning of the Bible Historiale. Image taken from f. 1 of Bible Historiale, 1st part (Genesis-Maccabees). Written in French.

Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled this remarkable collection over his lifetime. The collection is now housed at the British Library in London.

Henry Yates Thompson was born into a wealthy family in 1838. Thompson began collecting manuscripts and other items in the 1870s. His collection quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and breadth. He had a keen eye for illuminated manuscripts, which are manuscripts decorated with intricate illustrations and calligraphy. The collection has a particular emphasis on medieval manuscripts.