
Getty Museum
Initial P: Saint John the Baptist, cutting from a gradual
- Date
- about 1446–1450
- Medium
- Tempera colors and gold
- Culture
- Italian (Siena)
- Department
- Manuscripts
- Institution
- Getty Museum
- Object ID
- 614388b0-3b06-4155-ba48-c2ffef01632d
From the Getty Museum record
This initial P encloses a praying Saint John the Baptist who lifts his eyes to heaven. His untidy hair and beard, as well as the gaunt body partially revealed by a pink tunic, underscore his asceticism. In contrast, the lavish use of gold leaf both inside and outside the initial remind the viewer of John’s favor in heaven. This work was likely cut from the same gradual (a Christian musical manuscript containing the chants for the Mass) as another letter in Getty’s [collection][1]. [1]: https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/105SXX
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