The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 20, 2026

A square tempera painting on parchment depicts the Nativity inside a decorative letter P. The Virgin Mary, in a blue robe, reclines while holding baby Christ. Both figures, along with Joseph to the right, have light skin tones and golden halos. Joseph rests his chin on his hand. Behind them, two animals peer over a manger. The letter features scrolling green leaves and gold accents, set within a blue and gold-leaf border.

Historiated Initial (P) Excised from a Gradual: The Nativity

c. 1350–75

attributed to Lippo Vanni

(Italian)
Italy, Siena
ink, tempera, and gold on parchment
Sheet: 10 x 11 cm (3 15/16 x 4 5/16 in.)
Gift from J. H. Wade 1924.1011
Location: Not on view
  • Signorello, Lucrezia "Musica picta restituta. La libreria di coro di Sant'Agostino di Siena e il ritrovamento dei cutting miniati," Analecta Augustiniana Vol. LXXXC (2022). p. 276, note 159
  • The Glory of the Painted Page: Manuscript Illuminations from the Permanent Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 6, 2010-April 17, 2011).
    Late Medieval Art. Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, OH (October 31-November 26, 1958).
    The Silver Jubilee Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 23-September 28, 1941).
  • {{cite web|title=Historiated Initial (P) Excised from a Gradual: The Nativity|url=false|author=Lippo Vanni|year=c. 1350–75|access-date=20 April 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1924.1011