Ascension
Historiated initial V on a leaf from a Gradual.
Germany, Regensburg, c. 1290-1300.
This initial ‘V’ originated in a Gradual, a type of colossal choir book. The historiated initial is embellished with burnished gold and placed within frames of light and dark green. The letter is divided into two parts, the right shaft is in a warm shade of beige-rosé and the left is made up of a magnificent, winged dragon who chews on the right shaft. The dragon’s green body curls up with details of his spine accentuated in lighter colours. The end of his tail is adorned with a red three-foil foliage, while to the right, the shaft of the letter ends in a small three-foil leaves in beige-rosé. The red feathers of the dragon wing are mirrored in the intricate red band decoration to the right.
Within the letter, the Virgin and eight of the apostles sit before bare green rocks and look up towards two angels and the disappearing figure of Christ. As per the Christian tradition, his footprints remain on the stone below. The men with brown and grey hair are clothed in colourful robes and the red halo of the Virgin sets her apart from the group. The garments of those up front are sharply folded and emphasised by skilful and subtle moulding in lighter nuances of the main colour. This illumination is defined by the application of delicate details. Noses and eyebrows are formed in a single line, while eyes are indicated by a black dot. All figures have red dabs on cheeks and lips, imbuing the scene with warmth and life.
The parent two-volume Gradual from which our leaf hails was clearly a luxury commission and it has been suggested that the books were made for the convent of Dominican nuns at Regensburg, founded in 1237 and dedicated to the Holy Cross.
