Leaf Excised from a Psalter: The Nativity, c. 1260. Flanders, Liège(?), 13th century. Tempera and burnished gold on vellum; sheet: x cm (4 15/16 x 3 3/8 in.). Traditional locations within manuscript psalters were designated by decorated initials or, as is the case here, full-page miniatures. These locations marked the major divisions of the psalms as used in the daily office. The extraordinary quality of these miniatures suggests they once decorated a deluxe psalter made for a wealthy or aristocratic patron, possibly a cleric.

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Photo credit: © CMA/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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