German Illuminator

King David playing a Psaltery

Written in Latin, a fragment from a Gradual, the Introit for the First Sunday of Advent, Ad te levavi

Germany, likely Augsburg, circa 1475

Overall dimensions, 113 x 105 mm.

Tempera, gold and ink on parchment

$10,000

This illuminated fragment comes from a 15th century Gradual, a liturgical book containing the chants for the Mass. The historiated initial “A” on the recto featuring King David playing a psaltery introduces the Introit Ad te levavi, the entrance chant for the First Sunday of Advent. The verso provides further confirmation of the manuscript’s function as it contains the text Ostende nobis, part of the chant Alleluia. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam, which follows the Gradual in the Mass. Together, these elements firmly establish this fragment as belonging to the Advent liturgy, with King David a prophetic figure in Christian tradition visually reinforcing the psalmic nature of the chants.

King David is depicted in a regal purple robe with a rich red interior lined with thick fur-like texture evoking the luxurious garments of medieval noble attire. Under this, he wears a green coat with white fur accents at the cuffs and gold buttons complemented by green leggings. A red cap with fur brim rests beneath his golden crown, reinforcing his royal status. His long brown hair and carefully detailed beard frame a pensive expression as he gazes toward the left following the direction of the chant. He is seated on a red textile draped over the crossbar of the large initial “A”, which is painted in deep blue with white detailing. His right hand supports the golden psaltery while his left plucks the strings with precision. The background is a rich gold leaf adorned with soft swirling white floral sprays. A green and red border frames the composition, a hallmark of Augsburg illumination, adding depth and structure to the miniature.

Produced in a highly skilled workshop, likely catering to monastic or noble patronage, this fragment exemplifies the artistic achievements of late medieval Swabian illumination. The refined use of gold leaf, intricate border decoration, and dynamic figural composition align with the visual traditions of Augsburg’s thriving manuscript culture. This miniature, with its expressive rendering of King David and richly detailed ornamentation, stands as a testament to the high level of craftsmanship that defined Augsburg’s role as a major center of book production in the late 15th century.

PROVENANCE:

1. Switzerland, Beinwil am See, Antiquariat Dr. Walter Eichenberger

2. Switzerland, private collection

LITERATURE:

Hamburger, Jeffrey F., and Joshua O’Driscoll, Imperial Splendor: The Art of the Book in the Holy Roman Empire, 800-1500, New York, 2021