One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Getty takes ownership of a rare bible
Listen
0:45
Getty takes ownership of a rare bible
Getty takes ownership of a rare bible
The Getty Museum is now home to a rare and intact illuminated Bible from Italy.
The Abbey Bible is a illuminated manuscript which means it has that has lavish illustrations throughout its pages and margins. This one has gold-haloed saints, winged angels and fanciful beasts among others.
Getty representatives say it’s unusual for a volume of this quality to turn up on the market any more. The Getty is the world's wealthiest arts institution and does not disclose the price of it's acquisitions.
The Abbey Bible is named for its previous owner who was a collector of rare manuscripts. Before that, the book belonged to a Dominican monastery in the 13th century.
The museum plans to display the bible starting in mid-December as a highlight of an exhibition of Gothic illuminated manuscripts.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
