ID 794432
Lot 12 | Cristoforo Cortese (fl. c. 1390-1445)
Estimate value
£ 3 000 – 5 000
A prophet pointing to his eyes, historiated initial 'D' on a leaf from an illuminated choirbook on vellum [Veneto, second quarter 15th century]
An excellent example of the meticulous, accomplished work of the Venetian illuminator Cristoforo Cortese.
440 x 310mm (visible). The initial 'D' opening Psalm 27 'Dominus illuminatio mea' for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, 8 lines of text and music on 4-line staves in red, rubrics in red and initials in blue with red infill and red with brown infill, reverse with contemporary foliation 'ccxviii' in red. Mounted and framed.
Provenance:
(1) Dr Michael Berolzheimer (1866-1942), Fürth, Munich and Untergrainau, Germany, and Mount Vernon, New York.
(2) Private Collection, USA; by descent from the above.
Illumination:
The miniature is stylistically associable 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). The present miniature is similar to a cutting from a Gradual with a half-length bearded prophet, sold at Christie's, 23 November 2010, lot 4.
Special notice
This lot is offered without reserve.
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
| Artist: | Cristoforo Cortese (1399 - 1445) |
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| Place of origin: | Italy, Europe |
| Auction house category: | Medieval & renaissance manuscripts |
| Artist: | Cristoforo Cortese (1399 - 1445) |
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| Place of origin: | Italy, Europe |
| Auction house category: | Medieval & renaissance manuscripts |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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| Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
| Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
| Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |




