Manuscript Leaf with Foliated Initial P, from an Antiphonary

Italian

Not on view

The opening letter of a chant is the equivalent of the beginning of a new chapter in a book. It is, therefore, enlarged and decorated to give it prominence. Here, the initial P comes alive with vines and a doglike creature twisting around the upright of the letter and spewing red into the middle.

Manuscript Leaf with Foliated Initial P, from an Antiphonary, Tempera, ink, gold, and silver on parchment, Italian

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Manuscript Leaf with Foliated Initial P, from an Antiphonary, Tempera, ink, gold, and silver on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Leaf with Foliated Initial P, from an Antiphonary, Tempera, ink, gold, and silver on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Leaf with Foliated Initial P, from an Antiphonary, Tempera, ink, gold, and silver on parchment, Italian

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