Getty Museum
Initial B: Four Saints
Creator
Olivetan MasterItalian Illuminator · 1425–1450
All works by this person →The Olivetan Master is called by this name because of a signature found in an illuminated initial from Milan, dated 1439 (now belonging to The Cini Foundation, Venice) that describes him as a brother of the Order of Monteoliveto, which indicates that he was an Olivetan monk himself. Besides the Getty cutting, his work is known through several other initials in different collections and an illumina
More on Getty ULAN- Date
- about 1450
- Medium
- Tempera and gold
- Culture
- Italian
- Department
- Manuscripts
- Institution
- Getty Museum
An air of pious reflection permeates the four saints in this initial. The Olivetan Master treats these four figures both as a tightly knit group and as individuals. They are tied together through formal rhythms and echoes. For example, the two figures on the end have their arms crossed and display voluminous sleeves, while the two interior figures have their hands in gestures of prayer and also have almost identical contours along the right shoulder. Although the drapery in a certain sense might be read as one continuous mass of billowing cloth, the individuality of each figure is brought out through color, facial type, and subtle distinctions in gesture and expression. Particularly moving is the figure second from the left who has just turned toward his companion.
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