Artwork
Leaf 6 from an antiphonal fragment
Leaf 6 from an antiphonal fragment is a tempera drawing by Italian 13th Century. It dates from 1275 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This artwork is a page from an antique book, featuring handwritten text and musical notation on vellum.
About this work
Overview
This artwork is a page from an antique book, featuring handwritten text and musical notation on vellum. The page is decorated with colorful initials and intricate designs.
Subject & Meaning
The text is written in Latin, and the musical notation suggests that it was intended for liturgical singing. The content is likely related to a religious antiphonal, a type of chant book used in medieval worship.
Technique & Style
The page features a mix of red and brown ink, with decorated initials in tempera and colored ink. The initials contain figurative elements, such as a robed figure and a trumpet motif, adding visual interest to the page.
History & Provenance
The age and fragility of the vellum suggest that this page is a surviving fragment from a much older manuscript, likely created during the medieval period.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist shaped the look of church music between 1250 and 1299, painting bold red-and-blue initials on vellum pages meant for choirs.
