Illuminated Initial, C15th | A King and a Saint, historiated initials ‘A’ or ‘N’ and ‘U’ from a Choirbook on vellum, illuminated by an unknown Master, Italy, c. 1490-1500.

Illuminated initials, cuttings, each c. 67 x 67 mm, tempera and burnished gold on vellum; (a) initial ‘A’ or ‘N’ depicting a king with crown and sceptre but no halo (perhaps King David, or St Louis?), the reverse with traces of music and ‘roma(m)’(?), (b) initial ‘U’ with a young saint holding a book and palm of martyrdom, the reverse with traces of music and text; some rubbing and flaking of pigments and gold.

TWO ATTRACTIVE ITALIAN INITIALS IN THE STYLE OF FRATER ALFONSUS DE HISPANIA

These two attractive initials are executed in a distinct style reminiscent of the works of Frater Alfonsus de Hispania, created in Northern Italy around 1490 to 1500. The shading, the pale skin tones of the figures, as well as the depiction of textiles, are particularly closely aligned with the known work of this artist.

Intriguing are the cool toned paleness of both figures and the androgynous character of the young saint. In this respect, the figures seem somewhat inspired by the occasionally ambiguous representations of saints by Leonardo da Vinci.

With their almost muted palette and unusual style, the two miniatures stand out among Italian book illumination of the late 15th century.

PROVENANCE

1. Part of the important collection of Adolf von Beckerath 1834-1915). He was the youngest son of a textile merchant from Krefeld and became a silk merchant himself. He cultivated a reputation as a patron of the arts and music, with a particularly interest in Renaissance art. Sold by;

2. Rudolph Lepke's, Berlin, Nachlass Adolf von Beckerath Berlin, zweiter Teil, Buch-Miniaturen, 29 November 1916, lot 43.

3. Sotheby’s, London, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts Sale, 5 July 2016, lot 29.

4. Acquired by present owner from the above sale.

LITERATURE

Freuler, Gaudenz. Italian Miniatures. From the twelfth to the sixteenth Centuries, vol. 2, Milan: SilvavanaEditoriale, 2013.

Paolo D'Ancona and Erhard Aeschlimann. Dictionnarie des miniaturistes du Moyen Âge et de la Renaissance dans les différentes contrées de l'Europe, Milan 1049, p. 4.