Initial D[omine] from a Choral Book: King Solomon

Description

The initial D takes the form of the Temple at Jerusalem, built by King Solomon, who occupies the initial's interior space. The remaining letters omine (the Latin word for Lord), reside beneath the D against grounds of alternating colors. This once was part of a group of Old Testament portraits decorating a choral book. Giraldi held a privileged reputation as an illuminator for the court of Borso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara (died 1471).

Provenance

Ottley; Ottley

Initial D[omine] from a Choral Book: King Solomon

Guglielmo Giraldi del Magri [or del Magro]

c. 1470–1480

Accession Number

1951.548

Medium

ink, tempera and gold on vellum

Dimensions

Sheet: 17 x 14 cm (6 11/16 x 5 1/2 in.)

Classification

Manuscript

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund