Handschriften

This imposing Antiphonal, attributed to a close collaborator of Giotto, the Master of Santa Cecilia, is decorated with 10 historiated and 15 ornamental initials. Complete Choir Books of this impressive size are a very rare find, as they were often taken apart due to their enormous decorative value: the pages with their beautiful gilded and painted initials were sought-after as eye-catching wall decorations, particularly in the 19^th century. Therefore, it is a great pleasure to present such a historic and splendid artwork complete and still in its original binding. 

Based on their distinct style, the initials can be attributed to the Master of Santa Cecilia who has been tentatively identified with Gaddo Gaddi. Our artist collaborated with Giotto in the 1290s, when he was entrusted to carry out the last three scenes of the cycle of Saint Francis in the upper Church of San Francesco in Assisi. Giotto’s influence is clearly visible in this Antiphonary; the vigorous figures as well as the sound articulation of their powerful bodies, displayed wonderfully through their elegantly falling rich garments are clearly guided by him.

The haunting scene of the resurrection of Christ is an excellent example of Giotto's influence on the Master of Santa Cecilia. The fluttering drapery draws attention to the body beneath and directs the viewer’s gaze upward, retracing the movement of Christ rising from the grave. These subtleties created by economic gestures guiding the viewer through the narrative purpose of the picture, are a great achievement of Giotto’s, who would arrange his figures and their movements to emphasise the focal point of the respective scenes. 

Often on velvet blue ground the Master of Santa Cecilia develops his multi-layered and lavish compositions for his historiated and decorated initals. The palette oscillates between royal blue and a bright coral with numerous shades between the two such as old-rose, mauve, and burgundy. Ingeniously, the colour of the parchment is used in the compositions, as a decorative highlight where it is purposefully allowed to shine through. 

The Master of Santa Cecilia not only excels in his treatment of his figures and their movement but also in the complex and interweaving designs of the historiated initials, creating individual pieces of art. This Antiphonal is a stunning manifestation of the undying influence of Giotto di Bondone.