Leaf from a Sacramentary

Unknown

third quarter of 12th century

Tempera colors and ink, Tempera Colors, Ink

J. Paul Getty Museum

An illuminated manuscript page features large red initial letters and decorative elements. The text is written in Latin with black ink, and some headings or important words are in red. This leaf was excised from a manuscript known as a sacramentary that was used during Christian church services. The large capital letter D, set off from the lightly colored page by blue, red, and green pigments, marks the beginning of the Latin prayers said on the feast day of Saint Martin of Tours on November 11. Grapevines coil around the main stem of the letter, which recalls slender Gothic columns. Inside, gripping and standing on these budding vines is a male figure wearing a cap and belted tunic. The figure presents no clear connection to Saint Martin, who was a soldier before becoming a bishop. The colors and forms also sugge