Getty Museum

Gospel Lectionary

Date

late 10th century

Medium

Tempera colors, gold paint, silver paint, and ink

Culture

Ottonian

Department

Manuscripts

Institution

Getty Museum

The gospel reading for Pentecost in this Ottonian lectionary opens with the simply framed letters *SI* in gold and silver paint, beginning the phrase *Si quis diligit me* (If a man loves me). The balance of these grand letters establishes a ceremonial tone for the reading, which recounts Jesus' consultation with his disciples on the eve of his arrest. Within the *S,* a vine forms a knot of interlace at the middle and completely fills the rounded open spaces between the top and bottom curves of the letter. The design of the tendrils balances the dominant lines of the letter, creating a subtle figure eight. An animal head crowns the letter *I,* biting the head of a snake.

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