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Leaf from a Gradual: Initial (D) with John the Baptist

Late 1450s
(Italian, 1433–1484)
Italy, Florence, 15th century
Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Sheet: 55.1 x 36.6 cm (21 11/16 x 14 7/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1950.1
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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Did You Know?

It was common practice in the Renaissance for illuminators to buy their pigments from apothecaries.

Description

This leaf comes from a gradual, a choral book containing the mass chants. It features a large
decorated letter D introducing the Mass: Deus, in nomine tuo salvum me fac (Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me in thy strength) from Psalm 53. Francesco d’Antonio del Cherico began his career as a goldsmith in Florence. He eventually changed his occupation to manuscript illuminator where he achieved much success. He was a pupil of Fra Angelico and became famous for being Lorenzo de’ Medici’s favorite illuminator. He gained a reputation for his well-executed illustrations in varying types of books ranging from small books of hours to large choir books. His illustrations often featured intricate floral arrangements, as seen here.
Leaf from a Gradual: Initial (D) with John the Baptist

Leaf from a Gradual: Initial (D) with John the Baptist

Late 1450s

Francesco d'Antonio del Cherico

(Italian, 1433–1484)
Italy, Florence, 15th century

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