Barcelona Haggadah

Folio 43

And afflicted us … and imposed hard labour … ‘ The illustration depicts the slavery in Egypt and shows contemporary construction methods. The initial word reads ‘and [they] imposed [hard labour upon us]’, to the left of which two Israelites ascend ladders with heavy loads on their backs. A bricklayer at the top of the tower prepares to receive more materials, while his companion waits for a basket to be hoisted up by a pulley-man standing in the outer margin. The foliate borders of this page, with their flat spikey forms, are typical of the manuscript.
Verso, ‘But we cried [to the Lord]’. To the left of each a man kneels, his palms joined in supplication.

Leaf size is approximately 255 x 190mm (10 x 7.5in)