In collaboration with the Manuscript Department of the Royal Library of Belgium, and the conservation studio of the KBR, Lieve Watteeuw starts in February 2017 an integrated research on the material characteristics of the ‘Rijmbijbel of Jacob van Maerlant’. Maerlant is one of the most important Middle Dutch authors during the Middle Ages. The Brussels manuscript is the oldest illustrated manuscript in the Dutch language. Since 2016, it is undergoing an intensive conservation treatment, funded by the Fund de la Serna of the King Boudewijn Foundation. With scientific imaging (the Micro-dome, the Hirox 3D binocular) and through Xrf mapping the project will reveal detailed information on production characteristics of this important 13th century manuscript and support the conservation treatment. The research is conducted in collaboration with the Imaging Lab – KU Leuven and the laboratories of the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA).