The exhibition’s first segment, Translating the Bible, includes portrait engravings of Martin Luther, an 1883 poster commemorating the 400th anniversary of his birth, as well as a 1875 Martin Luther German Bible with illustrations by Gustave Doré and a single 1541 leaf from the an early edition of Luther’s Bible. Several other Bibles illustrate the importance of the English vernacular translations over these five centuries. Among these is the very rare Title Page of I Thessalonians from Martin Luther’s New Testament of 1529, a leaf from 16th century Tyndale Bible, a page from The Great Bible approved by King Henry VIII, a leather bound King James Bible with an accompanying single leaf from the first 1611 edition; and Eugene Peterson’s contemporary paraphrase, The Message.

The second section, Illuminating the Bible, explores the many diverse ways scribes and calligraphers have illuminated the biblical text with imaginatbn and devotion. Some of the manuscripts include: a 13th century illuminated manuscript from France of I Corinthians 6; 15th century illuminated pages from the Vulgate; and a bifolio antiphonal parchment manuscript used by medieval choirs. Also included are several recent calligraphic creations, such as: The Holy Bible illuminated by Timothy Botts with an accompanying piece I Have Plans for You; two Ethiopian prayer books; and a contemporary Celtic illumination.

Picturing the Bible features more than fifteen artists who use the Biblical text as an integral part of their creations. These evidence the power of the Bible, compelling artists to embed its very words in their art. Some of those in the show include: William Blake’s Vision of Eliphaz; two pieces by Howard Finster, inscripted with his own personal version or paraphrase of the biblical text; an etching by Sue Coe relating to the Beatitudes; a delicately collaged cross form by David Kamm; and two elegant drawings by Doug Jacques. Adam Back, Andrew Barchus, Martha Chatelain, Sandra Bowden and Guy Chase have created more dimensional works that reference The Book.