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Manuscript Illumination with Joseph Sold by His Brothers in an Initial V, from an Antiphonary

ca. 1490
Not on view
During Lent, the season of forty days of penitence and fasting that precedes Easter, medieval Christians consciously identified with the plight of the ancient Hebrews who wandered in the desert for forty years. Chants and images inspired by Hebrew scripture, such as this example showing Joseph being sold by his jealous brothers, often appear in choir books intended for this time of year.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Manuscript Illumination with Joseph Sold by His Brothers in an Initial V, from an Antiphonary
  • Artist: Giovanni Pietro da Cemmo (Italian, active 1474–1507)
  • Date: ca. 1490
  • Geography: Made in Brescia, Italy
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Tempera, ink and gold on parchment; leather binding
  • Dimensions: Overall: 6 3/4 x 7 1/16 in. (17.1 x 17.9 cm)
    Illumination: 5 1/4 x 5 7/16 in. (13.4 x 13.8 cm)
    Stave Ht.: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
    between stave ht.: 1 5/16 in. (3.4 cm)
    Study mat: 9 15/16 x 11 15/16 in. (25.3 x 30.4 cm)
  • Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
  • Credit Line: Gift of Coudert Brothers, 1888
  • Object Number: 88.3.50
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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