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All Saints in an Initial E or O

ca. 1430–40
Not on view
This cutting may have been part of a lost set of choirbooks decorated by the Osservanza Master for the Church of Sant'Agostino in Siena. The initial E, excised from an antiphonary, introduces one of the responses for the Feast of All Saints (November 1): "Exultent justi in conspectu Dei" (Let the just exult before God). Inside the initial, painted to resemble an architectural interior, is the Virgin in prayer, surrounded by Saints. Standing next to her in the foreground are Saint Augustine on the left, and Saint Paul on the right. Partly visible behind them are the heads and gold haloes of numerous other saints.
The close stylistic affinities between works attributed to the enigmatic Osservanza Master and another Sienese master, Sano di Pietro, may indicate that they represent a single artistic identity. It is also possible that the works attributed to the Osservanza Master are the product of a collaborative workshop to which these artists belonged.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: All Saints in an Initial E or O
  • Artist: Osservanza Master (Italian, Siena, active second quarter 15th century)
  • Date: ca. 1430–40
  • Culture: Italian, Siena
  • Medium: Tempera and gold on parchment
  • Dimensions: 6 11/16 x 5 1/2 in. (17 x 14cm)
  • Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
    1975.1.2484
  • Object Number: 1975.1.2484
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

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Saint Anthony the Abbot in the Wilderness, Osservanza Master Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
Saint Anthony the Abbot in the Wilderness
Osservanza Master
ca. 1435
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Two Cherubim, Osservanza Master Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground, Italian, Siena
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Two Cherubim
Osservanza Master
1435–40
Tondo mirror frame, Italian, Siena, Poplar; carved, gilt; deep red-brown bole., Italian, Siena
Tondo mirror frame
Italian, Siena
ca. 1490–1500
Workshop of Paolo di Giovanni Fei Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground, Italian, Siena
Workshop of Paolo di Giovanni Fei
1400–1410
Adoration of the Shepherds, Francesco di Marco Marmitta da Parma Emilian, Tempera and gold on parchment
Adoration of the Shepherds
Francesco di Marco Marmitta da Parma
ca. 1500

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