Manuscript Cutting: Leaf from an Antiphoner with an Historiated Initial ‘H’ showing the Nativity
Unknown Artist
Leaf from an Antiphoner with an Historiated Initial ‘H’ showing the Nativity
Mainz, Germany, 1490s
Ink, gold and pigments on parchment, 365 x 250 mm
Victoria and Albert Museum (No. 1107:1)
This leaf was made for Christmas Day and shows the Nativity scene within an initial ‘H’. It’s a potentially noisy scene, with the animals braying and, in the distance, the shepherd calling to his flock. The large historiated lettering reinforces the fact that, overall, the choir’s ability to see the text and therefore sing is the highest priority of an Antiphoner.
The elaborate and rich floral decoration that issues from this historiated initial reflects the liturgical significance of the scene. It is consistent with the tendency of leaves depicting such key scenes from the Life of Christ as the Nativity and Crucifixion to be embellished with expensive pigments, as well as demonstrating the importance placed on music for devotional purposes. Choir books were considered pocket cathedrals that acted as useful art objects but also a way to show adoration.
Audio Clip & Transcript
Audio: transcription
‘Hodie Nobis Caelorum Rex de Virgine nasci dignatus est ut hominem perditum ad coelestia regna revocaret. Gaudet exercitus angelorum: Quia salus aeterna humano generi apparuit.’
‘Today the King of Heaven deigned to be born of a Virgin for us, so that he might recall fallen mankind to his heavenly kingdom. The host of angels rejoice; because eternal salvation has appeared to the human race.’
Christmas Responsories: 1, Hodie Nobis Caelorum Rex from Joao Rodrigues Esteves: Choral Works sung by Christ Church Cathedral Choir (Stephen Darlington)
Nimbus Records (NI5516)