Tobit blinded, historiated initial from Apocrypha Bible book of Tobit

Notes:

Chapter division unit beside the inner column on recto. Correction along outer column of recto. Cue mark for chapter 3 in red on verso. “Notas” annotation on verso., Housed in a mat frame (260 x 205 mm), visible on one side only with dealer’s prospectus on the back of the frame. Excised from a larger manuscript., 6-line historiated initial painting of Tobius, asleep. On recto: 5-line decorated initial in blue enclosing vines on a ground of orange; rubricated in red. Running head on recto reads "TOBIE" in alternating red and blue capitals, and on verso reads: "TO." On recto: 5-line initial P in blue with red pen florishes extending into the margins, 2-line initial T in red with blue pen florishes that extend the inner column and into the upper and lower margins. Pearl script on either side of the running title. Capitals touched in red. Guide letter for the Roman numberal III in the inner margin. Roman numbers alternate red and blue., A leaf from a small bible with painted initials before the prologue and first chapter of Tobit. The initials painted on this leaf are stylistically similar to the work of professional artists working in Paris, possibly Johannes Grusch atelier. Historiated initial illustrates Tobit, eyes closed and covered with a blanket, reclining in bed, enclosed by a hybrid animal. Intial decorated with marginal extenders., 2-column of 45 lines ruled in lead written in small gothic textualis (pearl script)., and Based on evidence in the text, this Bible was likely decorated by artists from Paris in the third quarter of the thirteenth century, c. 1250-1270. The motifs and colors used in the red and blue pen initials can be compared with Paris, BnF, MS lat. 16541 (Stirnemann, 1990, no. 39, and p. 70). The style of the painted initials can be compared most closely with the later products of the Johannes Grusch workshop, a rather diverse stylistic group active in the second and third quarters of the thirteenth century (Branner, 1977, appendix VK. pp. 222-223).

Data Provider:

Western Michigan University. Libraries

Subject Topic:

Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern), detached leaves, Manuscripts, Medieval--France, Historiated initials--France--13th century, Textura (Gothic script), Apocryphal books (Old Testament), Decorated initials, illuminated manuscripts--France--13th century, Miniatures (Illuminations)--France--15th century, and Tobias (Biblical figure)

Language:

lat

Rights:

Copyright 2019 Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, all rights reserved. The digital version is available for educational use under 'Fair Use' guidelines. For additional permission and further information contact the WMU Libraries.

URL:

https://luna.library.wmich.edu/luna/servlet/detail/WMUwmu~77~77~1222521~160228