Vienna Genesis

Vienna Genesis, early 6th century, Austrian National Library, Vienna. The oldest book here, and the reason the gallery starts with purple: the parchment was dyed that imperial color and the Greek text above was written in silver. Below it, Rebecca appears twice in one strip, first leaving the walled town with her jug, then giving water to Eliezer and his camels. Look for the half-dressed woman reclining by the spring, a personification of the river that feeds the well.