Collection Online as of June 10, 2023

Initial R from a Choral Book with King David(?)

c. 1470–1480

attributed to Guglielmo Giraldi del Magri [or del Magro]

(Italian)

Italy, Ferrara, 15th century

Ink, tempera and gold on vellum

Sheet: 16 x 18 cm (6 5/16 x 7 1/16 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1953.22

Location

not on view

Description

This sumptuous initial is painted in deep hues set against a burnished gold ground in order to achieve a rich jewellike effect. The design of the letter incorporates such motifs as gemstones, pearls, and classical cameos—much favored by Renaissance princes—to add further refinement to the image.

Provenance

Lady Northwick

Exhibition history

The Cleveland Museum of Art (10/10/2004 - 10/02/2005); "Illuminated Manuscripts"

Cleveland Museum of Art, (11/06/2010 - 04/17/2011); "The Glory Of the Painted Page: Manuscript Illuminations from the Permanent Collections"

Master Goldsmiths of the Renaissance: Their Models and Designs. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 2, 1982-March 20, 1983).

The Decorated Letter and the Illuminator's Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 25-December 19, 1993).

Illuminated Manuscripts. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (October 10, 2004-October 2, 2005).

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).