Bible illustrator speaks at the U-of-I

The man who illustrated a version of the Bible considered one of the finest publishing works of the century will be in Iowa City today. Barry Moser is delivering lectures about the nearly four years he spent creating the artwork for the Pennyroyal Caxton Bible.Only 400 limited edition copies of this Bible were printed at a cost of 10-thousand dollars each. Fifty handmade copies sell for 30-thousand dollars each. A less expensive version is now for sale at 65-dollars per book. Moser says he used blocks of resin to do the 232 relief engravings for the tome.The 59-year-old artist, who lives in Massachusetts, says the limited editions of this King James Bible will be treasured for decades, if not centuries. He says being part of that kind of project sometimes gives him a thrill — and a chill.Moser used real-life models for many of the illustrations in the Biblical books ranging from Genesis to Revelation. His free lecture at 8 tonight is in the University of Iowa’s Main Library. He also speaks tomorrow night.