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St Agnes, historiated initial from a Choirbook, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Lombardy, perhaps Milan, final quarter 15th century]
Details
Anonymous Lombard illuminator
St Agnes, historiated initial from a Choirbook, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Lombardy, perhaps Milan, final quarter 15th century]
A large, refined historiated initial, characteristic of Lombard illumination in the final quarter of the fifteenth century, from what must have been an opulently illuminated choirbook.
165 x 176mm. Historiated initial 'B' enclosing a figure of the saint holding a lamb and a book, verso with two lines of music and text on four-line red staves (a small area of sky retouched, laid down onto later vellum mount onto which the scrolling acanthus of the initial has been extended). 19th-century gilt frame.
The delicate handling of the face of St Agnes, with her fine, softly curling hair, the naturalistic palette with an emphasis on light, fresh blues and greens, and the convincing landscape are all characteristic of Lombard illumination in this period, reflecting the early 'Leonardesque' currents emanating from Milanese late-quattrocento painters. The body of the initial, set against a burnished gold ground, comprises segments of densely-packed, overlapping laurel leaves and coloured balls of the type that appear in Milanese choirbooks illuminated in the final decades of the 15th century.
St Agnes, historiated initial from a Choirbook, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Lombardy, perhaps Milan, final quarter 15th century]
A large, refined historiated initial, characteristic of Lombard illumination in the final quarter of the fifteenth century, from what must have been an opulently illuminated choirbook.
165 x 176mm. Historiated initial 'B' enclosing a figure of the saint holding a lamb and a book, verso with two lines of music and text on four-line red staves (a small area of sky retouched, laid down onto later vellum mount onto which the scrolling acanthus of the initial has been extended). 19th-century gilt frame.
The delicate handling of the face of St Agnes, with her fine, softly curling hair, the naturalistic palette with an emphasis on light, fresh blues and greens, and the convincing landscape are all characteristic of Lombard illumination in this period, reflecting the early 'Leonardesque' currents emanating from Milanese late-quattrocento painters. The body of the initial, set against a burnished gold ground, comprises segments of densely-packed, overlapping laurel leaves and coloured balls of the type that appear in Milanese choirbooks illuminated in the final decades of the 15th century.
Special notice
This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
Brought to you by
Eugenio Donadoni
Senior Specialist, Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts