Item Info

Language: Latin
Folio Number: front 26:28
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes: Initial H with the Baptism of Christ
Notes: This cuttings can be dated to ca. 1260-1270.
Notes: This initial begins the first response of the first nocturn of Matins of Epiphany, "Hodie in Iordane baptizato Domino ..." (Today, when the Lord was baptized in the Jordan).

This cutting and its sister cuttings (Lewis E M 26:20-29), all from the same antiphonary, are some of the earliest examples of medieval Italian manuscript illumination in the Free Library's collection. Nearly thirty years after the execution of these initials, the character of Italian illumination and painting would fundamentally change under the leadership of artists such as the Florentine painter Giotto. The abstract and somewhat decorative quality of medieval art seen in these cuttings would eventually give way to a more naturalistic approach to representation, marking the beginning of the Renaissance in the history of art.
Sirsi Catalog Key: 1677933
Country: Country:Italy
City/Town/Township:Padua or Venice

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1299
Image Dimensions Width: 63 mm
ShelfMark: Lewis E M 26:20-29