Introduction

Since the Stavelot Bible became generally known to the scholarly world at the end of the nineteenth century, its illuminations have been recognized as occupying an important place in the incipient stage of the Romanesque style in the Meuse valley. The two volumes of the Bible contain no less than ninety-seven illuminated initials, almost half of them containing figures. Among these, the extraordinary 'I', with its numerous separate scenes in medallions and panels, is clearly outstanding. One illumination that is not an initial is the famous full-page composition of Christ in Majesty. These two works demand special scrutiny. But other groups of initials offer their own interest.