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Manuscript Illumination with Singing Monks in an Initial D, from a Psalter

1501–2
Not on view
While one monk looks down in pious contemplation, two others gaze at the divine beams of radiating light that inspire their song. But their eyes and voices are drawn outside the frame to the text and music on the page, as if they were reading and singing from the book. Dressed in white, they are members of the Olivetan order, which commissioned Girolamo dai Libri and his father, Francesco, to create the psalter.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Manuscript Illumination with Singing Monks in an Initial D, from a Psalter
  • Artist: Girolamo dai Libri (Italian, Verona 1474–1555 Verona)
  • Date: 1501–2
  • Geography: Made in Verona, Italy
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment
  • Dimensions: Overall: 9 1/16 x 7 in. (23 x 17.8 cm)
    Illumination: 4 x 4 1/8 in. (10.2 x 10.5 cm)
    Mat size: 19 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (48.9 x 36.2 cm)
  • Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
  • Object Number: 12.56.4
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

Audio

Cover Image for 2845. Initial D with Signing Monks

2845. Initial D with Signing Monks

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More Artwork

More Artwork
Madonna and Child with Saints, Girolamo dai Libri Italian, Tempera and oil on canvas
Madonna and Child with Saints
Girolamo dai Libri
ca. 1520
De Re Militari (On the Military Arts), Roberto Valturio Italian, Printed book with 82 woodcut illustrations impressed by hand; illuminated initials and descriptive captions also added by hand
De Re Militari (On the Military Arts)
Author Roberto Valturio
Matteo de' Pasti
Publisher Johannes ex Verona
1472
Illuminated Psalter, Tempera, black ink and gold on parchment, Byzantine
Illuminated Psalter
Byzantine
late 1100s
Manuscript Illumination with the Holy Women at the Tomb in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary, Girolamo dai Libri Italian, Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Illumination with the Holy Women at the Tomb in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary
Girolamo dai Libri
ca. 1490–1500
The Prayer Book of Bonne of Luxembourg, Duchess of Normandy, Jean Le Noir , and Workshop French, Tempera, grisaille, ink, and gold on vellum, French
The Prayer Book of Bonne of Luxembourg, Duchess of Normandy
Attributed to Jean Le Noir
before 1349

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