Getty Museum

Decorated Text Page

Date

early 13th century

Medium

Tempera colors and gold leaf

Culture

Byzantine

Department

Manuscripts

Institution

Getty Museum

Facing a portrait of Saint Luke across a double-page spread, the decorated incipit page heralds the opening of his Gospel. Within a simple square frame, the artist enclosed a pattern of five-part leaves within circles outlined in alternating colors. Although the pattern of the design appears to be quite regular, no two leaves are exactly alike and their slight differences enliven the design. The leaves sprouting at the corners of the square frame are similarly varied in size and shape.

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