Manuscript Leaf with the Crucifixion in an Initial D, from a Book of Hours

Unknown

ca. 1350 · Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment · Medieval Art

The Crucifixion serves as a kind of bookmark at the beginning of the Hours of the Cross, which tell of Christ’s Passion. This cycle of Latin prayers is to be said privately at seven different periods during the day. The winged creatures with human heads inject a note of bizarre humor to the sobering scene of Jesus’ death.

Artist: Unknown
Date: ca. 1350
Medium: Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment
Culture: North French
Department: Medieval Art
Credit line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1939

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