Getty Museum
Initial D: Biblical Scene
Creator
Master of the Golden BullIlluminator · 1400–1405
All works by this person →The Master of the Golden Bull is the name given to the illuminator who decorated a luxurious copy of a papal bull granting King Wenceslas IV of Bohemia the title of King of Rome in 1400. While his identity is unknown, the Master of the Golden Bull was probably active in the early fifteenth century at the Prague court, ruling seat of the Kingdom of Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic). The artist's
More on Getty ULAN- Date
- about 1405
- Medium
- Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint
- Culture
- Bohemian
- Department
- Manuscripts
- Institution
- Getty Museum
- Object ID
- fcff4474-11b3-4517-8c9f-01df05d56528
From the Getty Museum record
At left, the priest Melchizedek offers a golden vessel to the patriarch Abraham, who kneels before him with his army. According to a biblical story, Melchizedek presented Abraham and his associates with bread and wine after they returned victorious from battle. Medieval Christians viewed this event as a precursor to the offering of bread and wine at mass, which symbolizes Christ's sacrifice of his body and blood. The sacrificial theme of this image reflects the use of this chant it introduces, which was sung during the penitential season of Lent.
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