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Inhabited Initial P

Creator

Unknown All works by this person →More on Getty ULAN

Date: probably 1170s
Medium: Tempera colors, gold leaf, silver leaf, and ink
Culture: German
Department: Manuscripts
Institution: Getty Museum

A large initial *P* begins the introit, a chant sung by the choir as the priest enters the sanctuary, for the main Mass of Christmas day: *Puer nat[us] est nobis* (A boy is born for us). The musical notation written above the text indicates the chant melodies. The naked man and fox cavorting simply provide decoration among the fruit-bearing vines swirling through and around the letter.

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