Single Leaf Excised from an Antiphonary: Inital A[spiciens a longe] with Christ in Majesty
Single Leaf Excised from an Antiphonary: Inital A[spiciens a longe] with Christ in Majesty, Italy, Tuscany or Umbria, 14th century c. 1330-1350
1939.677
Not on display
This massive historiated initial A, among the largest painted by Renaissance illuminators, introduces the Matins Response for the First Sunday in Advent. For centuries this particular Sunday was known as "Aspiciens a longe" Sunday, since this is the very first chant of the Christian liturgical year to be sung with a special choir, or Schola Cantorum, on that Sunday.
The text as well as the image represented follow the prophecy of Isaiah who foresaw the birth of Christ: Aspiciens a longe, ecce, video potentiam... (Long had I been watching. Behold, now do I see God coming in power as in a cloud of light...). Within the letter A is Christ enthroned in majesty surrounded by angels and saints. This alludes to the Redeemer, who is yet to come. The two figures who occupy the bottom curves of the A are Old Testament prophets. The prophet on the left is Isaiah. He holds a scroll revealing his prophecy: "Behold, a Virgin can conceive."
Images Copyright © the artist, their estate, and/or the Cleveland Museum of Art.
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![Single Leaf Excised from an Antiphonary: Inital A[spiciens a longe] with Christ in Majesty | 1939.677](/oci/wh380/1939/1939.677.jpg)