Illuminated Leaf, C15th | Illuminated initial ‘N’ on a leaf from an Antiphonary, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum. [Italy (Ferrara?), 15th century (second half)]

A single leaf, 580 x 422 mm, with historiated initial ‘N’ depicting St Francis preaching to the birds (four lines high), vellum; twelve lines of text on recto and musical notation on verso (framed as the reverse), containing the beginning of Psalm 126 (Vulgata) ‘Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum, in vanum laboraverunt qui aedificant eam.’; Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; excellent condition with minor fading of text in lower left corner.

AN IMPRESSIVE AND VIBRANT LEAF IN THE STYLE OF FRANCO DEI RUSSI

This wonderful leaf encompasses a large historiated initial ‘N’ depicting St Francis preaching to the birds, a scene recounted in different accounts on the Life of St Francis. The initial is a vibrant and detailed artwork. St Francis is portrayed in front of a verdant mountainous landscape preaching to a colourful flock of birds who listen attentively. Bearing the typical stigmata, St Francis is clothed in a greyish habit whose soft folds are artfully shaded. His halo is finely embossed giving the burnished gold additional texture. Even the ground on which the saint stands, is intricately decorated with lilies of the valley and other delicate flowers. The overall composition is multi-layered and creates depth through its use of colour and perspective.

The body of the initial itself is a vibrant and detailed. Executed in royal blue, precious purple, dark green, with hints of terracotta, the palette immediately catches the eye. Acanthus leaves sprout along the stem and curved bow of the initial extending into the left margin. The inner part of the letter arch has been created to mirror a carved stone arch, creating a trompe l’œil effect which draws the eye of the viewer into the composition. The letter itself is placed against a blue background embellished with delicate white tracings.

The leaf contains the beginning of Psalm 126, the so-called Builder’s Psalm which is now sung or recited in the Office of None during the week: Nisi Dominus edi/ficaverit domum/ in vanum labo/raverunt qui e/dificant eam Nisi Dominus/ custodierit civitatem/ frustra vigilat qui custodit/ eam. Vanum est vo/bis ante lucem surgere: surgite/ postquam sederitis qui ma/nducatis panem doloris/ Cum dederit dilectis/

The style of the initial, although more detailed, is reminiscent of the Mantuan artist Franco dei Russi (1450–1482), active in Mantua and Ferrara in the second half of the 15^th century. Russi’s work is renowned for its richness and vibrancy, echoing the courtly illumination of the artists at the Este court in Ferrara. Among others, Russi contributed to one of the highlights of Italian Renaissance book art, the famous Borso Bible, made for Duke Borso d’Este. Attributed to Russi is also the creation of a splendid Franciscan antiphonary commissioned by the famous Greek cardinal Bessarion (c. 1399/1408-1472) one of the driving forces behind the revival of letters, the rediscovery of classical texts. Gaudenz Freuler connected two of the impressive leaves to this antiphonary (Freuler 2004). While our leaf might not originate from this specific antiphonary, its decoration and subject hint at a Franciscan origin.

The leaf at hand is a truly splendid example of the high-level of Italian book illumination popular in the second half of the 15^th century.

PROVENANCE

UK, Private Collection.

LITERATURE

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

Freuler, Gaudenz. “Studi recenti sulla miniature rinascimentale italiana. Appunti su una mostra ameriana (Parte III),” in Arte Cristiana, 92, 2004, pp. 387-408.

Palladio, Pia. Treasures of a Lost Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2003.