Illuminated Manuscript Leaf from an Antiphonal with Miniature of Saint John the Baptist
“O Thou that sanctifiest the waters, have mercy on us”
ILLUMINATED ANTIPHONAL LEAF WITH LARGE MINIATURE FEATURING JOHN THE BAPTIST.
Magnificent large leaf from an early 16th-century antiphonal. Recto features a large miniature measuring 3.4 x 2.5 inches of John the Baptist seated in a rocky landscape beside a winding river, alluding to the Jordan. He wears the traditional rough brown garment associated with John the Baptist, described in the Gospel of Matthew: “John wore clothing made of camel’s hair” (Matthew 3:4). John holds a cross-staff in his left hand and raises his right finger in a gesture of proclamation. The text of the leaf opens with “Precursor Iohannes exultat,” an antiphon for the Octave of Epiphany, associated with the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
Verso includes a large initial "T" in burnished gold on green background with acanthus leaves. The T opens the traditional chant “Te qui in spiritu et igne purificas humana.”
The text as visible on the leaf reads, with abbreviations expanded and normalized:
Praecursor Joannes exsultat cum Jordane, baptizato Domino, facta est orbis terrarum exsultatio; facta est peccatorum nostrorum remissio, sanctificans aquas. Ipsi omnes clamemus: miserere nobis.
John the Forerunner exulteth when, as the Lord was baptized in the Jordan, rejoicing was given to the world, and forgiveness of our sins. Let us all cry unto Him, “O Thou that sanctifiest the waters, have mercy on us” (English translation).
Verso continues the chant and begins the next Office section with the red rubric “Ad tertiam. Ant.” (At Terce. Antiphon). The decorated initial T opens the following antiphon:
Te qui in spiritu et igne purificas humana…
You who, by spirit and fire, purify human [defilements] (English translation).
Leaf size: 13 x 19.25 inches; archivally framed to an overall size of 19.5 x 26 inches. Likely Italian, c. 1500–1550. Vellum. Mild toning and creasing to vellum. Minor rubbing to text and notation. Some minor chipping at edge of miniature. Overall, the miniature is bright and crisp. A beautiful leaf.
Price: $4,800 .