Anonymous: Initial A with Christ in Majesty (14th century)

(Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, USA)

An illuminated page made by an unknown Italian artist. This beautiful piece is part of an antiphonary, a liturgical book used by a choir. It is usually at the start or at the end of a psalm, during the mass and the liturgy of the Hours. This page is composed of a large letter A which is the first letter of the sentence "Aspiciens a longe ecce video Dei potentiam venientem" (Long had I been watching. Behold, now do I see God coming in power as in a cloud of light), a part of the prophecy of Isaiah who foresaw the birth of Christ. In the letter itself is Christ who is enthroned in majesty and surrounded by angels and saints meant to represent the redeemer who is yet to come. Page from the 14th century.