Choirs of Angels: Painting in Italian Choir Books, 1300–1500

Hide caption

This intensely colored illumination, by an unknown artist for an unknown commission, is a singularly beautiful evocation of David as author of the 150 psalms. Quill in hand, he cocks his head to listen to the voice of God, whose face appears in the clouds. The image serves as counterpoint to the text, in which David implores: "Incline thy ear, O Lord, and hear me."

King David in an Initial I
Leaf from a psalterNorthern Italian, early 15th century
Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 18 1/8 x 13 13/16 in. (46 x 35.1 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Alice M. Dike, in memory of her father, Henry A. Dike, 1928 (28.225.65)

Hide caption

During Lent, the season of forty days of penitence and fasting that precedes Easter, medieval Christians consciously identified with the plight of the ancient Hebrews who wandered in the desert for forty years. Chants and images inspired by Hebrew scripture, such as this example showing Joseph being sold by his jealous brothers, often appear in choir books intended for this time of year.

Giovanni Pietro da Cemmo (documented 1474–1502)
Initial V with Joseph Sold by His Brothers
From an antiphonary, perhaps created for the Augustinian monastery of San Barnaba, BresciaItalian (Brescia), ca. 1490
Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; Overall: 6 3/4 x 7 1/16 in. (17.1 x 17.9 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Coudert Brothers, 1888 (88.3.50)

Hide caption

Within the letter C a priest celebrates Mass at a small altar with only one assistant—a scene quite distinct from the communal, music-filled ceremonies for which medieval and Renaissance choir books were created. The Museum owns several pages from the same antiphonary, a type of choir book that monks used at regular daily intervals, following the regimen codified by Saint Benedict in the sixth century. The anonymous master's name is derived from his illuminations of a text by Lactantius, an early Christian author, preserved in the Riccardiana Library in Florence.

Master of the Riccardiana Lactantius
Celebration of a Mass in an Initial S
Leaf from a Benedictine antiphonaryItalian (Florence), second half of the 15th century
Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 21 9/16 x 16 1/8 in. (54.7 x 40.9 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Louis L. Lorillard, 1896 (96.32.8)

Hide caption
Master of the Riccardiana Lactantius
Leaf from an Antiphonary with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist in an Initial M
Leaf from a Benedictine antiphonaryItalian (Florence), second half of the 15th century
Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 22 3/8 x 15 5/8 in. (56.7 x 39.6 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Louis L. Lorillard, 1896 (96.32.9)

Hide caption

This illumination offers a glimpse of life and death among wealthy citizens of Florence. The funeral procession is a lavish affair, with the deceased resting on a bier covered with expensive silk and the mourners attired in brightly colored costumes.

Mariano del Buono (1433–1504)
Funeral Procession in an Initial R
From a gradualItalian (Florence), second half of the 15th century
Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 28 1/8 x 20 1/16 in. (71.5 x 51 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Louis L. Lorillard, 1896 (96.32.16)

Hide caption

The letter S presents two successive events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles in which Saint Peter escapes from prison. First an angel leads him past guards to the city gates, which miraculously open. Then the faithful welcome Peter to the home of Mary, mother of Saint Mark. Among them is Rhoda, the servant who announced the escaped prisoner's unexpected appearance at the door to a group of incredulous disciples.

Initial S with Saint Peter Liberated from Prison
From an antiphonaryItalian (Florence), first half of the 14th century
Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 6 x 4 1/2 in. (15.1 x 11.5 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Dr. Bashford Dean, 1923 (23.21.3)

Hide caption
Master of Bagnacavallo
Initial S with the Beheading of Saint Paul
From an antiphonary created for the Imola CathedralItalian (Imola), ca. 1278
Tempera and ink on parchment; 4 5/8 x 4 5/8 in. (11.8 x 11.8 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Bradish Johnson Carroll, 1926 (26.159.2)

Hide caption

The hymn proclaims: "How awesome is this place: this is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." The rich red vestments suggest pomp and ceremony, but the artist added charming details, such as the figures who whisper and peek. A prolific painter, Mariano del Buono illustrated secular and religious books as well as books for private and community prayer for both Christian and Jewish clients.

Mariano del Buono (1433–1504)
Dedication of a Church in an Initial T
Leaf from a gradualItalian (Florence), second half of the 15th century
Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 28 3/16 x 20 in. (71.6 x 50.8 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Louis L. Lorillard, 1896 (96.32.15)