Artwork Page for Title Page of Abbot Berno's "Tonarius:" Initial D[omino]

Details / Information for Title Page of Abbot Berno's "Tonarius:" Initial D[omino]

Title Page of Abbot Berno's "Tonarius:" Initial D[omino]

c.1030

Germany, Abbey of Reichenau, 11th century

Medium
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Measurements
Sheet: 21.5 x 15.3 cm (8 7/16 x 6 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1952.88
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This leaf originally served as the dedication page of the Tonarius, or Tonary, written by Reichenau's Abbot Berno (1008-1048). A tonary was a music manual used to regulate liturgical chants. Berno's manuscript was presented to Archbishop Pilgrim of Cologne (1021-1036) whose name appears at the bottom of this leaf.
A vertically oriented ink and tempera painting on vellum depicts a manuscript page with a central panel framed by a decorative green border with red circles. Within, a large, ornate golden initial occupies the upper section against a dark reddish-brown background, containing intricate interlace patterns in gold, green, blue, and red. Below the initial, four lines of gold capital letters are inscribed on the same dark ground.

Title Page of Abbot Berno's "Tonarius:" Initial D[omino]

c.1030

Germany, Abbey of Reichenau, 11th century

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