Cleveland Museum of Art

Historiated Initial (A) Excised from a Gradual: Christ in Majesty with King David and Prophets

Date: c. 1300–1340
Medium: ink, tempera, and gold on parchment
Culture: Italy, Florence (?)
Department: Medieval Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

This initial A probably refers to one of the most famous responses in Latin sung on the first Advent Sunday before Christmas: Aspiciens a longe et ecce video Dei potentiam venientem (I look from afar, and behold I see the power of God coming). With this song the physical presence of Christ in the world was celebrated. The leaf is probably taken from an antiphonary, a large liturgical book used by the choir for chanting. The style is reminiscent of Italian art during the 1200s and can be dated to the time before the Black Death. Directly below the decorated initial is a line of music; the black squares are music notes sitting on a staff. During the Middle Ages the staff had only four lines, unlike today.

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