Item Info
Folio Number: front
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes: Initial I with St. Agnes of Rome delivered to the brothel and receiving the white robe
Notes: This initial once began a chant used in the celebration of the feast of the third-century virgin martyr St. Agnes of Rome (Jan. 21). According to her legend, St. Agnes refused to marry the son of the prefect of Rome. To punish her, the prefect had her taken to a brothel. When she entered the brothel, she began praying and an angel came down to clothe her in a white robe.
This initial has been attributed to the Venetian illuminator Cristoforo Cortese, active from ca. 1399 to before 1445, when a document refers to him as already dead. The cutting is from the same manuscript as Lewis E M 25:28. Several other leaves in the Free Library have also been attributed to Cortese.
Sirsi Catalog Key:
1594387
Country:
Country:Italy
City/Town/Township:Venice
Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin):
1450
Image Dimensions Width:
88 mm
ShelfMark:
Lewis E M 25:27
Creator Name:
Cristoforo Cortese, attributed to - Artist
front
reverse