Vienna Genesis

It is one of the oldest well-preserved, surviving, illustrated biblical codices; only the Garima Gospels of Ethiopia, dating to the 5th and 6th centuries, are as old or older.

It is written in uncials with silver ink on calfskin vellum (on page 36 of "The Vienna Genesis.

Material analysis and conservation of a late antique illuminated manuscript on purple parchment" states "The parchment of Late Antique manuscripts, which date from the 4th–7th century, is made from sheepskin" despite the fact it is called vellum.

These incidents are thought to have been derived from popular elaborations of the story or from Jewish commentaries on the text.

Similar to Rebecca at the Well, the figures are painted in profile, with elongated bodies and exaggerated facial features.

The use of gold and silver paint, as well as intricate detailing in the clothing and hair, adds to the richness of the image.

The story follows Jacob, in the brown and reddish tunic, who wakes up and leads his family across the river.