• Additional view of object
Mar 13, 2008

Historiated Initial (A) Excised from a Gradual: Christ in Majesty with King David and Prophets

Historiated Initial (A) Excised from a Gradual: Christ in Majesty with King David and Prophets

c. 1300–1340

Italy, Florence

(?)

Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment

Sheet: 28 x 24 cm (11 x 9 7/16 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1952.107

Location

not on view

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Did you know?

Directly below the decorated initial is a line of music; the black squares are music notes sitting on a staff. During the Middle Ages the staff had only four lines, unlike today.

Description

This initial A probably refers to one of the most famous responses in Latin sung on the first Advent Sunday before Christmas: Aspiciens a longe et ecce video Dei potentiam venientem (I look from afar, and behold I see the power of God coming). With this song the physical presence of Christ in the world was celebrated. The leaf is probably taken from an antiphonary, a large liturgical book used by the choir for chanting. The style is reminiscent of Italian art during the 1200s and can be dated to the time before the Black Death.

See also
Collection: 
MED - Manuscript Illuminations
Department: 
Medieval Art
Type of artwork: 
Manuscript
Medium: 
Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment
Credit line: 
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

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