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Thursday, April 9, 2015

H = Historiated Initial



The Good Shepherd 
Continuing with the discussion of Medieval Manuscripts and their 'Initials' today we speak of the 'Historiated' Initial.

A Historiated Initial is an initial (enlarged letter that starts the first word of a passage) containing a scene from the work. It could be an episode from the subject, a portrait of the author, or landscape from the text.



In this scene (to the right) we have a manuscript from Dante showing a scene, found in the story, of a sailing ship.


And below we have King David playing his harp, above, and, as a young man, facing Goliath (lower register)


 



I can't resist putting in one of my favorite Historiated Initials.  Well...if it is a book on wine-making, or the evils of drink...







 

2 comments:

  1. His side-eye is priceless! haha

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  2. Hi Diana .. I love these - I've always loved decorated initial and illuminated manuscripts they give the book a real sense of luxury .. really happy to see these historiated initials .. and that chap is just incredible .. cheers Hilary

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