The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 5, 2026

A vertically oriented tempera and gold historiated initial on parchment depicts a bearded man with a red halo preaching from a wooden pulpit. Contained within the blue and white curve of a letter "P," he gestures toward six smaller figures looking upward against a gold background. White scrolls decorate the corners of the blue frame. All figures have light skin tones.

Historiated Initial Excised from a Bible (set of nine)

1200s

Italy

tempera and gold on parchment
Sheet: 5.2 x 4.2 cm (2 1/16 x 1 5/8 in.)
Gift of Vittorio Forti 1954.131
Location: Not on view
  • Science within Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (February 13-April 20, 1980).
  • {{cite web|title=Historiated Initial Excised from a Bible (set of nine)|url=false|author=|year=1200s|access-date=05 June 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1954.131