![THE PSALMIST IN THE SEA, initial 'S' on a leaf from an illuminated noted Breviary on vellum [Bologna or Ferrara c.1440]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_16018_0018_000(the_psalmist_in_the_sea_initial_s_on_a_leaf_from_an_illuminated_noted094050).jpg?w=1)
Details
THE PSALMIST IN THE SEA, initial 'S' on a leaf from an illuminated noted Breviary on vellum [Bologna or Ferrara c.1440]
This is a fine example of the controlled, elegant draughtsmanship of Giovanni di Antonio da Bologna, identifiable from his signed illumination in a manuscript of 1432 in Naples (Antonio da Budrio, Commentarium super lib.II Decretalium pars II, Bibl. Naz. Ms XIV.A.21).
362 x 260mm, ruled space: 230 x 170mm overall, two columns of text and music on the recto with the initial opening Psalm 68, 'Salvum me fac', from Easter week, folio lxx of a noted Breviary; the verso with 20 lines of text with 12 flourished initials and a catchword.
Giovanni di Antonio continued to be active until the middle of the century working both in Bologna and in the orbit of the Este in Modena and Ferrara. His stylistic formation owed much to his Bolognese predecessors, Niccolò di Giacomo and the Master of the Brussels Initials enhanced by an exploration of expression and narrative. The taut, coiling acanthus springing from this initial is a feature of his lush border style.
From his surviving works Giovanni di Antonio seems to have been particularly valued for his illustration of Psalters. This makes the present leaf an appropriately characteristic example of his work. A sister leaf with the Fool introducing Psalm 52 is at the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo. This initial introduces Psalm 68 which begins, ‘Save me O God for the waters are come in even unto my soul / I stick fast in the mire of the deep and there is no sure standing. I am come into the depth of the sea’: fittingly the Psalmist is shown hands raised in supplication, eyes wide and mouth grimacing with fear as the swirling waves rise to his breast.
This is a fine example of the controlled, elegant draughtsmanship of Giovanni di Antonio da Bologna, identifiable from his signed illumination in a manuscript of 1432 in Naples (Antonio da Budrio, Commentarium super lib.II Decretalium pars II, Bibl. Naz. Ms XIV.A.21).
362 x 260mm, ruled space: 230 x 170mm overall, two columns of text and music on the recto with the initial opening Psalm 68, 'Salvum me fac', from Easter week, folio lxx of a noted Breviary; the verso with 20 lines of text with 12 flourished initials and a catchword.
Giovanni di Antonio continued to be active until the middle of the century working both in Bologna and in the orbit of the Este in Modena and Ferrara. His stylistic formation owed much to his Bolognese predecessors, Niccolò di Giacomo and the Master of the Brussels Initials enhanced by an exploration of expression and narrative. The taut, coiling acanthus springing from this initial is a feature of his lush border style.
From his surviving works Giovanni di Antonio seems to have been particularly valued for his illustration of Psalters. This makes the present leaf an appropriately characteristic example of his work. A sister leaf with the Fool introducing Psalm 52 is at the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo. This initial introduces Psalm 68 which begins, ‘Save me O God for the waters are come in even unto my soul / I stick fast in the mire of the deep and there is no sure standing. I am come into the depth of the sea’: fittingly the Psalmist is shown hands raised in supplication, eyes wide and mouth grimacing with fear as the swirling waves rise to his breast.
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Sale room notice
This Lot is Withdrawn.
Brought to you by
Robert Tyrwhitt