Artwork Page for Single Leaf Excised from a Psalter: Initial D[ominus illuminatio mea] with Samuel Anointing David

Details / Information for Single Leaf Excised from a Psalter: Initial D[ominus illuminatio mea] with Samuel Anointing David

Single Leaf Excised from a Psalter: Initial D[ominus illuminatio mea] with Samuel Anointing David

c. 1270–1290

Northeastern France, 13th century

Medium
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Measurements
Sheet: 26.1 x 19.3 cm (10 1/4 x 7 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1985.82
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This historiated initial serves as a visual lead to Psalm 26, which begins with the last two lines of the page: Dominus illuminatio mea (The Lord is my light). By setting the body of the initial against a blue diapered (patterned) background for chromatic effect, the artist observed the latest fashion in book illumination.
A vellum page features black Latin script in the upper portion and an illuminated initial "D" in the lower left. Inside the initial, a man with a light skin tone in a red hat pours oil onto a kneeling youth while a haloed figure stands beside them. Gold and blue scrollwork borders the left and bottom margins. The scene depicts Samuel anointing David before a gold backdrop with stylized trees.

Single Leaf Excised from a Psalter: Initial D[ominus illuminatio mea] with Samuel Anointing David

c. 1270–1290

Northeastern France, 13th century

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