Cleveland Museum of Art

Bifolio from a Gradual: Initial (G) with Christ, the Virgin, and Apostles and Initial (O) (recto); Music and Text (verso)

Date

c. 1300

Medium

Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum

Culture

Italy, Siena(?)

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The large decorated initial G introduces the text, Gaudeamus omnes in Domino (Let us rejoice in the Lord). It is the beginning of the opening prayer, or introit, of the Mass for the Feast of All Saints (November 1). The figures within the initial include Christ, the Virgin Mary, and various saints. Words written in red ink, called rubrics, indicate titles and chapter headings that are not part of a manuscript’s main text.

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