The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 20, 2025
Miniature Excised from a Gospel Book with Initial L[iber generationis]: The Symbol of St. Matthew (recto)
c. 1125–1150
Sheet: 17.5 x 11.5 cm (6 7/8 x 4 1/2 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1950.373.a
Location: Not on view
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.- Illuminated Manuscripts. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (October 10, 2004-October 2, 2005).The Cleveland Museum of Art (10/10/2004 - 10/02/2005); "Illuminated Manuscripts"
- {{cite web|title=Miniature Excised from a Gospel Book with Initial L[iber generationis]: The Symbol of St. Matthew (recto)|url=false|author=|year=c. 1125–1150|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1950.373.a