Original leaf from a scarce Renaissance manuscript Gradual. (183 x 128mm 7 ¼ x 5 1/8’’)
The opening leaf states this was a “Gradual for the Carthusian Order.” France, c. 1550 – From the Royal Workshop of Henri II. Small highly illuminated manuscript music was very uncommon and expensive, usually reserved for royalty, the very wealthy or members of religious orders from notable families.
Eight lines in red ink with text and musical notation in black ink (on a four-line stave), on animal vellum. Headings, rubrics and ruling in red. One large illuminated initial in blue with delicate white penwork and floral decoration with a strawberry – symbol of perfect righteousness on a liquid gold ground; three illuminated initials and two illuminated paraphs in liquid gold over grounds of blue or red with gold tracery.
The elaborate illuminated “I” begins Psalm 55 (King James 56) 11: “In deo laudabo…” (In God will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech. In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me).
The illuminated “M” begins verse 2: “Miserere…” (Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me underfoot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me).
Graduals contain the musical chants for the proper of the Mass: introits, graduals, tracts, alleluia, offertory and communion verses, and sequences for special feasts. They may also include chants for the ordinary of the Mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei and for the introductory ‘asperges’ rite.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
