Cristoforo Cortese (active c.1390-1445) - photo 1

Cristoforo Cortese (active c.1390-1445)

Estimate value
£ 3 000 – 5 000
Auction dateClassic
10.07.2024 10:30UTC +01:00
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CHRISTIE'S
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
ID 1249773
Lot 12 | Cristoforo Cortese (active c.1390-1445)
Cristoforo Cortese (active c.1390-1445)
Virgin in Prayer, in a historiated initial 'S' cut from an illuminated Gradual on vellum [Veneto, c.1415-20]
A charming example of the work of the most accomplished Venetian illuminator of the early 15th century, Cristoforo Cortese.

c.113 x 165mm. Historiated initial 'S' with the Virgin in prayer (some losses to burnished gold, reverse with remnants of purple mounting paper to which it was once pasted down).

The present miniature - and the two accompanying lots in the sale - can be securely attributed to Cristoforo Cortese, the most accomplished Venetian illuminator of the early 15th century. His only signed work is the choirbook initial with the Death of St Francis (Paris, Mus. Marmottan, no 68) all other attributions, including woodcuts and tapestry designs, depend on this. He undertook many commissions for the scuole or lay confraternities of Venice, for example the opening folio of a rule-book with the Virgin of Mercy and confraternity members (c.1422: Paris, Mus. Marmottan, no 78) and contributed to many choir books in Venice and the Veneto; some of his finest work being in a Gradual in Milan (Milan, Bib. Nazionale Braidense, MS AB XVII.28).

A number of companion fragments have appeared over the years, but because of the uniform iconography it is no longer possible to work out the liturgical context of these initials. A large group of similar fragments are in Prague at the National Gallery and the Museum of Decorative Arts (see O. Pujmanova, Arte rinascimentale italiana nelle collezioni ceche. Pitture e sculture, exh. cat., 1997, p.250); another was sold at Sotheby's, 22 June, lot 23; and a further cutting - certainly from the same group, even down to the manner it has been cut - is published in G. Freuler, Italian Miniatures, I, 2013, no 36. Some of these cuttings have in turn been accosted to a other fragments and leaves attributed to Cristoforo Cortese, for example a leaf at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (Ms 637B 1894); fragments at the Free Library in Philadelphia (Lewis EM 45:31); and a leaf sold at Koller, 24 September 2019, lot 505.
Place of origin:Italy, Europe
Auction house category:Books and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
10.07.2024 – 10.07.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
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