Antiphonary
Lorenzo Monaco
c. 1410
Tempera and gold on parchment, mounted on panel, 402 x 327 mm
Bernard H. Breslauer, New York
Cod. Cor. 3 is one of the most lavishly illuminated books of the fifteenth century. It comprises seventeenth historiated initials, in addition to the three that have been removed. Folio 59 contains the Ascension in an initial V, which begins the introit to the Mass for the Ascension.The blue and pink initial V is framed within a painted mosaic border punctuated by truncated quatrelobe medallions at the corners and centres, each containing a bust-length figure of a prophet. Within the initial is a rocky landscape with the Twelve Apostles kneeling in wonder as two angels point out to them the figure of Christ in glory on a bank of clouds above their heads.