Manuscript Cutting
2nd half 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In Italy, choirbooks and liturgical manuscripts (hand-written books) were illuminated by large numbers of miniature painters. Choirbooks especially were produced in sets of many volumes. They often had more than 30. In 1457 Siena Cathedral decided to replace a set dating from the 13th century. The work lasted for more than 50 years. Cathedral archives record the names of some of the most outstanding illuminators of Italy. They came from all parts to undertake the work.
From the early 19th century onwards, such choirbooks provided an easy source of images for connoisseurs. They sought them eagerly to add to their collections of paintings.
From the early 19th century onwards, such choirbooks provided an easy source of images for connoisseurs. They sought them eagerly to add to their collections of paintings.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Water-based pigments, gilding and ink on parchment |
| Brief description | Border-ornament to an initial from choirbook (4142), Italy, 2nd half of the 16th century. A duplicate number MS.1209 was assigned to this object in error and was subsequently cancelled. |
| Physical description | Border-ornament to an initial from a choirbook (4142). |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Transferred from the Art Museum on 5 June 1864, recorded as ‘Illuminations transferred from Art Museum, 17 pieces transferred from Mr R[obinson]’ (now Museum nos 4132-4149). Information from Register of Drawings. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | In Italy, choirbooks and liturgical manuscripts (hand-written books) were illuminated by large numbers of miniature painters. Choirbooks especially were produced in sets of many volumes. They often had more than 30. In 1457 Siena Cathedral decided to replace a set dating from the 13th century. The work lasted for more than 50 years. Cathedral archives record the names of some of the most outstanding illuminators of Italy. They came from all parts to undertake the work. From the early 19th century onwards, such choirbooks provided an easy source of images for connoisseurs. They sought them eagerly to add to their collections of paintings. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic reference | Watson, Rowan. Educators, Collectors, Fragments and the "Illuminations" Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Nineteenth Century. In: Linda L. Brownrigg and Margaret M. Smith, eds. Interpreting and Collecting Fragments of Medieval Books. Los Altos Hills: Anderson Lovelace; London: Red Gull Press, 2000, pp. 21-46.
p. 36, n. 66. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 4140 |
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| Record created | March 1, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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