Arkivism
Historiated Initial (P) Excised from a Choral Book: St. Michael and the Dragon
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Historiated Initial (P) Excised from a Choral Book: St. Michael and the Dragon

early 1200s · ink and tempera on parchment

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The Archangel Michael was traditionally held to be the protector of souls. His intercessionary and protective role is connoted by his combat with and subjugation of the dragon as related in the Apocalypse of St. John the Evangelist. The present initial F is a type known as an "inhabited" initial. Here, the initial serves as a frame providing a display area for figural representation within.

Cleveland Museum of Art’s own description
Credit lineHistoriated Initial (P) Excised from a Choral Book: St. Michael and the Dragon, early 1200s. North Italy, Lombardy, 13th century. Ink and tempera on parchment; sheet: 16 x 10 cm (6 5/16 x 3 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift from J. H. Wade, 1924.1009
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