Morgan Crusader Bible Folio 13r (MS M.638)
This folio tells the story of Gideon from the Book of Judges. Gideon was a judge, prophet, and a military leader known for his miraculous success in battle against overwhelming numerical odds. In the upper left, Gideon and his companions arrive at and subsequently destroy the altar of the pagan god Baal. On the upper right, Gideon is guided by an angel to assemble an army, shown in its full ranks in the lower half of the manuscript defeating the pagan Midianites. In this illumination, the use of intentional linework and bold color establish a narrative of triumph and defeat. Gideon and his companions are also shown in contemporary 13th-century French clothing, establishing the relevance of Old Testament military narratives in the time of the crusades.