The initial A of this leaf from an antiphonary contains an intimate image of the Virgin Mary embracing her cousin Elizabeth, known as the Visitation. Created in Venice around 1400, it was produced shortly after the universal celebration of the Feast of the Visitation was decreed by Pope Urban VI in 1389. The English cardinal Adam Easton, who wrote the office of the feast, is depicted in red in the central medallion at the bottom of the folio. He is flanked by Saint Dominic and another saint belonging to the order, suggesting that the antiphonary was created for Dominican use.
Manuscript Leaf with the Visitation in an Initial A and Cardinal Adam Easton with a Dominican Saint and Saint Dominic, from an Antiphonary
Date: ca. 1400
Geography: Made in Venice, Italy
Culture: Italian
Medium: Tempera, ink and gold on parchment
Dimensions: 19 5/16 x 13 9/16 in. (49 x 34.5 cm)
Other (historiated letter): 3 7/8 x 2 15/16 in. (9.9 x 7.4 cm)
Other (Study Mat): 23 15/16 × 17 15/16 in. (60.8 × 45.6 cm)
Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. A. M. Minturn, 1890
Accession Number: 90.61.3
Description
CLOSE
-
Captions
-
');