Gradual or antiphonary

F-8jdm

Cambridge, MA, Harvard University, Houghton Library, MS Typ 979

General Information

Title Gradual or antiphonary
Shelfmarks MS Typ 979
Material vellum
General Remarks

13 cuttings from the same manuscript: (1) foliate initial "B", 10 x 12 cm.; (2) historiated initial "M" with two male saints, 17 x 15 cm.; (3) historiated initial "U" with the Ascension, 10 x 12 cm.; (4) historiated initial "U" with the Transfiguration, 14 x 16 cm.; (5) historiated initial "R" with the risen Christ, signed "Nebridius me p(inxit)", 18 x 19 cm.; (6) foliate border enclosing roundels with music-making angels, a central medallion with the lion of St. Mark, 8 x 34 cm.; (7) foliate border enclosing roundels with music-making angels and Sts. Peter, Paul and Mark, a central medallion of an angel announcing the resurrection to Mary Magdalene at the tomb, 10 x 35 cm.; (8) foliate initial "S" 10 x 10 cm.; (9) historiated initial "S" with a bishop, 17 x 16 cm.; (10) historiated initial "U" with God appearing in heaven above upraised hands, 11 x 10 cm.; (11) historiated initial "A" with David (?) praying, God, saints and angels looking down, 24 x 23 cm.; (12) historiated initial "O" with male saint reading, 15 x 14 cm.; (13) border enclosing medallions with groups of angels, some holding instruments of the passion, a central mandorla supported by four angels with a standing male saint and group of clerics, 43 x 9 cm.

Book Decoration and Musical Notation

Description
The illuminations are to be attributed to Frate Nebridio: see signature in no. 5. Borders with angel choirs are also typical of mss. associated with him.
In tempera, pen and colored inks with gold leaf.
The verso of no. 11 has text in a large gothic rotunda hand in black with music on a red 4-line staff. Other cuttings are pasted onto paper backing and their versos are not visible.

Bibliography

  • De Ricci, 1050.

  • M. Levi d'Ancona in Arte Lombardia 8 (1963): 87-92 (referring to no. 5)

  • G. M. Canova in Arte Veneta 29 (1975): 97-104 (illustrating no. 5)

  • De Ricci, 1050.

  • M. Levi d'Ancona in Arte Lombardia 8 (1963): 87-92 (referring to no. 5)

  • G. M. Canova in Arte Veneta 29 (1975): 97-104 (illustrating no. 5)