Artwork Page for Miniature Excised from a Gospel Book with Initial L[iber generationis]: The Symbol of Saint Matthew (recto)

Details / Information for Miniature Excised from a Gospel Book with Initial L[iber generationis]: The Symbol of Saint Matthew (recto)

Miniature Excised from a Gospel Book with Initial L[iber generationis]: The Symbol of Saint Matthew (recto)

c. 1125–50

Italy, Florence

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Medium
ink and tempera on vellum
Measurements
Sheet: 17.5 x 11.5 cm (6 7/8 x 4 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1950.373.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This initial L, for Liber generationis... (The book of the generation of Jesus Christ...), originally served as an introduction to the Gospel of St. Matthew. Unlike the Helmarshausen illuminator, who painted an actual portrait bust of St. Matthew (displayed nearby), this artist chose to paint within the letter the Evangelist's symbol, a winged man holding a book.
A vertically oriented tempera painting on aged brown vellum depicts Saint Matthew, a winged figure with a light skin tone, wavy reddish hair, and a golden halo. Facing and looking slightly to our right, he is draped in a heavily folded pink robe over a blue tunic while holding an open book. Beside him, a large initial "L" features blue knotwork and green foliage. Bold red serif letters spell "LIBER" across the jagged fragment.

Miniature Excised from a Gospel Book with Initial L[iber generationis]: The Symbol of Saint Matthew (recto)

c. 1125–50

Italy, Florence

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