The Bible : that is, the Holy Scriptures conteined in the Olde and Newe Testament

Before the Book of Psalms in this Bible is a blank page filled with what seems like initials practice, some sort of bird, and three different figure drawings. At the top is a profile of a face with a long nose and in the middle is a similar face, facing the same direction, with stick arms and legs. Both of these profiles seem to have been drawn in a single pen stroke: the top one starts at the forehead, the other behind the chin. The bottom drawing is facing straight on, with curly hair and wider arms. It is probable that these drawings were completed after the initials were drawn, since the initials look like they were partially wiped away and the stick arms drawn over them. 

 

BS170 1582a Xxxxx vi verso drawing.jpg

As with several of the earlier profiles, empty spaces on a text’s pages allow artists to create more elaborate – or simply larger – marginalia. In this case, the separation between the Old and New Testament, marked by a blank leaf, allowed this user to create drawings of their own.

The Bible : that is, the Holy Scriptures conteined in the Olde and Newe Testament