Bolognese artist, a close follower of Jacopino da Reggio

Saint Ursula

Written in Latin, a page from an Antiphonal, for the First Nocturne, first Responsory for the feast of the 11,000 Virgins of Cologne, Deonoto fuit nata placens

Italy, Bologna, circa 1290-1300

Overall dimensions, 485 x 375 mm.

Historiated initial “D”, 134 x 128 mm.

Rastrum, 32 mm. with six 4-line staves in red ink

Tempera, ink and gold on parchment

$25,000

This illuminated antiphonal leaf depicting Saint Ursula in a beautifully decorated initial D was made in Bologna during the end of the thirteenth century. It was painted by an artist very close to the Bolognese painter Jacopino da Reggio. Artists like the painter of Saint Ursula worked in large ateliers during this period of immense demand for servicing commissions. For many years, this illumination of Saint Ursula had been left in a state of misattribution. Now this talented Bolognese artist is identified as the same painter of an illuminated Gradual leaf in the Fondazione Giorgio Cini (see M. Medica & F. Toniolo, #88, Cini. inv. 22018). Saint Ursula here mirrors the Saint found in the Cini leaf with the same gesturing hand, palm leaf, slender figure and tightly detailed face. Saint Ursula is commonly portrayed in art through several recurring themes. Depicted as a noble figure, she is often wearing regal clothing and a crown. Her portrayal frequently includes symbols associated with her martyrdom. Often she is surrounded by numerous virgins, symbolizing the 11,000 companions said to have joined her on her fateful pilgrimage. In some representations, she carries religious emblems such as a palm leaf.

PROVENANCE

1. Dr H.F. Jossi Debrunner, (1922-1986), Chur, Switzerland.

2. Sotheby’s, London, December 3rd, 2008, lot 10.

3. Dr. Edwin E. Gordon, (1927-2015), Madison, WI, USA.

LITERATURE

M. Medica & F. Toniolo, Le miniature della Fondazione Giorgio Cini: pagine, ritagli, manoscritti, Cinisello Balsamo, 2016, p. 270-271, 88, (entry by Silvia Battistini).

D. Benati, "La città sacra. Pittura murale e su tavola  nel Duecento Bolognese", Duecento, Forme e Colori del Medioevo a Bologna, exhibition catalogue, M. Medica ed., Bologna 2000, pp. 97, 99 - 100.

M. Medica, "La città dei libri e dei miniatori",  Duecento, Forme e Colori del Medioevo a Bologna, exhibition catalogue, M. Medica ed., Bologna 2000, pp. 101 and 132 - 135.

An illuminated antiphonal depicting Saint Ursula by an artist in the narrow sphere of the Master of Latin 18, known as Jacopino da Reggio, painted in Bologna circa 1290-1300
An illuminated antiphonal depicting Saint Ursula by an artist in the narrow sphere of the Master of Latin 18, known as Jacopino da Reggio, painted in Bologna Italy circa 1290-1300
An illuminated antiphonal depicting Saint Ursula by an artist in the narrow sphere of the Master of Latin 18, known as Jacopino da Reggio, painted in Bologna Italy circa 1290-1300
An illuminated antiphonal depicting Saint Ursula by an artist in the narrow sphere of the Master of Latin 18, known as Jacopino da Reggio, painted in Bologna Italy circa 1290-1300
An illuminated antiphonal depicting Saint Ursula by an artist in the narrow sphere of the Master of Latin 18, known as Jacopino da Reggio, painted in Bologna Italy circa 1290-1300
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A 12th Century Antiphonal Leaf, Initial “L” in the form of a Bird, Italy, Tuscany? circa 1150
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Oxford Illuminator, St. Paul, a leaf from a Vulgate Bible, England, Oxford, circa 1250-1275