Artwork Page for Initial G[audeamus omnes] from a Gradual: The Court of Heaven

Details / Information for Initial G[audeamus omnes] from a Gradual: The Court of Heaven

Initial G[audeamus omnes] from a Gradual: The Court of Heaven

1371–77

Don Silvestro dei Gherarducci

(Italian, 1339–1399)
Culture
Italy, Florence, 14th century
Medium
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Measurements
Sheet: 38.6 x 36.5 cm (15 3/16 x 14 3/8 in.); Framed: 68.9 x 53 cm (27 1/8 x 20 7/8 in.); Matted: 63.5 x 47.6 cm (25 x 18 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1930.105
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This elegant and colorful initial G comes from a multivolume set of choral books illuminated by Don Silvestro, a Camaldolese monk, for his monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence. In the original book, this initial would have introduced the text: Gaudeamus omnes in Domino (“Let us rejoice in the Lord”), the beginning of Introit, the introduction, for the Feast of All Saints on November 1. This beautiful initial is generally considered to be the artist’s masterpiece.
A square tempera painting on vellum depicts a blue and orange foliate letter G. Inside the initial, Mary and Christ sit on a central throne; Christ raises his hand in blessing. Rows of saints flank them, while musical angels occupy the foreground and blue-winged angels fly above. All people have light skin tones and gold halos. Against a gold background, the scene is enclosed by a patterned square gold border.

Initial G[audeamus omnes] from a Gradual: The Court of Heaven

1371–77

Don Silvestro dei Gherarducci

(Italian, 1339–1399)
Italy, Florence, 14th century

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