Last Supper, large historiated initial from an Antiphonary, in Latin [Italy, Lombardy (Cremona), c.1460-80]

cutting, 182x152mm, vellum, initial 'Z' probably for the antiphon 'Zelus domus tue comedit me ...' for the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, reverse with remains of two lines of text and music on a four-line red stave, rastrum 44mm, some rubbing to the gold leaf, small pigment loss, in an attractive and large 19th-century gilt frame with small label inscribed 'B 92'

The scene with the Last Supper of Christ is closely related to the work of FRATE NEBRIDIO who was an Augustinian monk active in Cremona in the second half of the 15th century (see P. Palladino, Treasures of a Lost Art, 2003, pp.128-31). The letter 'Z' rarely provides space for a historiated initial. The artist cleverly closed the open space to the right with an elaborate architecture supported by slim columns that enforce the illusion of space. The composition is dominated by the central figure of Christ who offers bread to Judas, kneeling prominently on the other side of the table. John, the beloved disciple, is portrayed with his head in Christ's lap. The paschal lamb and pieces of bread are set on the table. Christ and some of the apostles are identified with the first letters of their names, in the centre 'IHS' (monogram of Christ), to the right 'IO'(hannes) and 'AN'(dreas), and to the left 'P'(etrus) and 'TO'(mas). The pale colour scheme and the muted tones are somewhat unusual and specifically characteristic of this work.