Manuscript Cutting: Leaf from an Antiphonary with an Historiated Initial ‘D’ showing Saint Agnes holding a Lamb
Unknown Artist
Leaf from an Antiphonary with an Historiated Initial ‘D’ showing Saint Agnes holding a Lamb
Probably Mainz, Germany, 1490s
Ink, pigment and gold leaf on parchment, 495 x 345 mm
Victoria and Albert Museum (No. 3048)
This leaf is from an Antiphonary and features an historiated initial ‘D’ depicting Saint Agnes. She is shown in a red cloak, holding a lamb, set against a blue background. The frame around the initial is elaborately decorated with pink, green, and burnished gold. Floral flourishes embellish the margins, adding to the vibrant aesthetic typical of late medieval illumination.
This manuscript cutting comes from a medieval Antiphonary (or Antiphoner). These manuscripts were often lavishly illuminated with decorative initials and border designs, enhancing the solemnity and visual impact of religious ceremonies. This cutting features an exquisitely illuminated initial ‘D’, within which is depicted Saint Agnes, a revered early Christian martyr. She is traditionally shown holding a lamb, symbolizing her purity and sanctity.
In this depiction, she is dressed in a red cloak, cradling the lamb against a deep blue background that underscores her divine status. Surrounding the initial are intricate decorations in pink, green, and burnished gold, while the margins are embellished with fine floral motifs and gold accents, showcasing the rich style of late medieval manuscript illumination. This manuscript cutting is part of a larger Antiphoner, acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1857 from the dealer Heberle in Cologne.