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Manuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary

1450–60
Not on view
The solemnity of the scene of Jesus' apostles witnessing the miraculous Assumption of the Virgin into heaven is radically transformed by the depiction of a monstrous green dragon whose body forms the opening letter A of the chant.

A contract of 1452 indicates that Cosmè Tura was to paint miniatures on a coffret, and it is therefore inferred that he was active both as a painter and as an illuminator of manuscripts. Displayed in this case and an adjacent one are four illuminations attributed to him from the same ensemble of choir books, two from the gradual for the Mass and two from the antiphonary for the Daily Office.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Manuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary
  • Artist: Attributed to Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) (Italian, Ferrara ca. 1433–1495 Ferrara)
  • Date: 1450–60
  • Geography: Made in Ferrara, Italy
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment
  • Dimensions: Overall: 17 5/16 x 12 1/8 in. (43.9 x 30.8 cm)
    illumination: 7 9/16 x 6 5/8 in. (19.2 x 16.9 cm)
    Mat size: 21 15/16 x 16 in. (55.7 x 40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1911
  • Object Number: 11.50.1
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

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Manuscript Illumination with All Saints in an Initial V, from an Antiphonary
Attributed to Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) (Italian, Ferrara ca. 1433–1495 Ferrara)
1450–60
Manuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial G, from a Gradual
Attributed to Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) (Italian, Ferrara ca. 1433–1495 Ferrara)
1450–60
Manuscript Illumination with the Presentation in the Temple in an Initial S, from a Gradual
Attributed to Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) (Italian, Ferrara ca. 1433–1495 Ferrara)
1450–60
The Flight into Egypt, Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) Italian, Tempera on wood
The Flight into Egypt
Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura)
1470s
Alfonso II d'Este (1533–1597), Duke of Ferrara, Italian (Ferrarese) Painter Italian, Oil on canvas, Italian, Ferrara
Alfonso II d'Este (1533–1597), Duke of Ferrara
Italian (Ferrarese) Painter
late 16th century

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