Ascension of Christ,
Historiated initial 'P' on a leaf from a Gradual on vellum, illuminated by an artist close to the Master of Imola.
Italy, Emilia-Romagna, Imola, c. 1270-1280.
This is a particularly attractive and well-preserved leaf from a yet unverified Gradual, possibly for the cathedral of Imola, to the southeast of Bologna. The overall manner of the illumination, especially the palette, dominated by dark blue, orange-red, green, and pale rose, points to Bologna’s Primo Stile but is more refined and betrays an individual artistic character that coincides with the works for Imola’s cathedral. The illumination of our initial recalls the style of a talented artist, the Master of Imola and his workshop, named after a choir book of the local cathedral. This somewhat enigmatic artist certainly deserves a thorough and systematic study, which will hopefully bring more leaves of this marvellous choir book to light.
The huge historiated initial 'P' introducing the responsory for the Feast of the Ascension of Christ dominates the page. The deep blue is contrasted with pale rose and vigorous orange, accentuated with fine white filigree. The initial extends to the bottom of the written space and ends in a graceful, ornamented foliate bar. On a velvety blue ground, in the bowl of the initial P, stand a group of apostles with overlapping halos. Two prominent figures in the middle of the group point dramatically to the sky, where only Christ’s feet and the hem of his tunic can be seen as he ascends.
The tunics of the tightly crowded witnesses are executed in dark orange, blue, and green, with the occasional light rose touches, which lend the composition airiness and movement. The apostles have delicately drawn, handsome faces, framed by longish brown hair. Some are clean-shaven, others wear short beards, and all are characterised by pale-red cheeks and lips, as well as terse, dark irises. Details, like draperies and outlines of hands are emphasised with faint white lines.
The script, notae, and historiated initial are elegantly interwoven on this leaf through careful and deliberate choice of colour as well as the juxtaposition of contrasting reds and blues to create an impressive and outstanding piece of art which captures the eye.
