In Italy illuminated choirbooks and liturgical manuscripts contain the work of large numbers of miniature painters. Some individuals can be identified. This cutting is attributed to Girolamo dai Libri of Verona. It shows King David, one of the great heroes of the Old Testament, reclining on a rich carpet and playing a stringed instrument. King David was a musician and was traditionally believed to be the author of the Psalms.
Physical description
An illuminated Initial B with a scene of King David playing the lute
Place of Origin
Verona
Date
1480-1490 (illuminated)
Artist/maker
Libri, Girolamo dai
Materials and Techniques
Tempera on parchment
Dimensions
Height: 275 mm
Weight: 270 mm
Object history note
Bequeathed by David M. Currie in 1921.
Attributed to Francesco dai Libri in the 2006 exh.catal. Mantegna e le Arti a Verona.1450-1500, pp. 359-360.
Historical context note
Mantegna e le Arti a Verona. 1450-1500, ed. by S. Marinelli, and P. Marini, Venice 2006, pp. 359-360: first page of a choir psalter, incipit of the psalm I 'Beatus vir'. Probably the main decoration of a large choir book.
Data taken from notes compiled by Rowan Watson. The full text of the entry is as follows:
' E.1168-1921
CHOIR BOOK [PSALTER-HYMNAL or PSALTER-ANTIPHONAL?]
Cut-out historiated initial B (Davis harping, on an oriental carpet, with attendants, monkey on a ball and chain, and a dog, painted by Girolamo dai Libri). The letter-shape is made up of triton grasping a dragon coiled into the letter B. Possibly the miniature in a psalter for which Cirolanodai Libri was paid on October 7, 1502, by S. Maria in Organo (Levi d.Ancona, 1969, p. 21)
Italy (Verona?) 1502?
(275 x 270) mm.
David Currie Bequest, 1921
Pub: 1923 cat, 90; Levi d'Ancona, 1969, 16-26; Levi d'Ancona, Wildensten Coll., 1970, pp. 70, 74'
Descriptive line
An illuminated cutting from a choir book, Initial B, with David playing the lute
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Marinelli, Sergio and Paola Marini, eds. Mantegna e le Arti a Verona. 1450-1500 Venice: Marsilio Editori s.p.a., 2006, pp. 359-360 : here attributed to Francesco dai Libri; see this bibliographic reference for a summary of the attributions to Girolamo or Francesco dai Libri (Copy in NAL)
Exhibition catalogue
Materials
Parchment
Subjects depicted
Dog; Monkey; David (King); Old Testament
Categories
Christianity; Clothing; Manuscripts; Musical instruments
Collection code
PDP
