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This deluxe illuminated Bible was commissioned by Borso d'Este (1413-1471), Duke of Ferrara, from Taddeo Crivelli who worked with his assistant Franco de' Russi. On the decoration of the manuscript worked some of the most famous illuminators of the time, such as Marco dell'Avogaro, Giorgio d'Alemagna and Girolamo da Cremona, as well as numerous lesser artists. The illustrations include numerous scenic miniatures, historiated initials, border friezes, architectural border motifs, heraldic rectangular fields and medallions.
The Bible was divided from the start into two volumes of 311 and 393 leaves: the first contains most of the Old Testament, the second the last part of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The illustrations on three consecutive pages (folios 78r, 79v and 79r) show the variety and richness of the decoration. Within an extremely rich, yet compositionally well-structured decorative border, the first page presents the Explicit (the end of the Prologue), and the Incipit (the beginning), in this case the beginning of the book of Daniel. This is followed by the double-page illustration introducing the life and teachings of the prophet Daniel. Two medallions containing a figurative representation and an animal motif provide focal points.
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