Lot 19

Nativity, a large historiated initial from an Antiphonary, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Italy (Florence), c.1400]

Estimate

20,000 - 30,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Vellum

cutting, 240mm. by 210mm., large historiated initial ‘H’ by Don Simone Camaldolese (opening "Hodie nobis celorum rex …" for Matins on Christmas Day) in orange with acanthus in dark and light blue, olive green and light pink against a burnished gold ground, enclosing the Virgin Mary and Joseph kneeling on a sparse and rocky ground in adoration of the swaddled Christ Child placed in a manger, with the Ox and Ass standing behind, set against a pale blue sky, the star of Bethlehem shining from the burnished gold ground above, foliage trimmed, fine scratch from centre of background to outer edge, small creases in burnished gold, silver oxidised, on the reverse three lines of text and music on a 4-line red stave, one initial in blue with red pen-flourishing, cut to shape, mounted

Catalogue Note

This imposing initial is a splendid example of the work of Don Simone Camaldolese (1378-1405).

Don Simone was a Camaldolese monk of S. Maria degli Angeli in Florence, a noted centre of manuscript production of very high quality. His celebrated fellow illuminators were Don Silvestro dei Gherarducci and Lorenzo Monaco. Don Simone’s signature "Simon de Senis" in an Antiphonary completed in 1381 (Florence, Bibl. Medicea-Laurenziana, Cod. Cor.39) indicates that he was originally from Siena and his work shows both Florentine and Sienese stylistic traits. A large number of works by Don Simone are signed, dated, or have been identified with documented works for a number of Florentine monasteries and churches.

Don Simone’s style is characterised by robust figures clothed in heavy drapery. His compositions are clearly distinguished from the boundaries of the initial and the letter serves as a frame that separates the religious scene from our world. The present cutting is close to Don Simone’s most mature and beautiful work of 1400-05 (Florence, Museo dell’Opera Santa Croce, Cod.B). One initial there bears his signature and he might have pictured himself in the image of a Camaldolese monk within its foliage.