CORTESE (Cristoforo)
A prophet pointing to his eyes, historiated initial 'D' on a leaf from an illuminated choirbook on vellum.
[Veneto, second quarter 15th century]
A beautiful example of the detailed, intricate work of one of the most accomplished Venetian illuminators of the early 15th century, Cristoforo Cortese (fl.c.1390-1445).
Cortese’s only signed work is the choirbook initial with the Death of St Francis (Paris, Mus. Marmottan, no 68). He undertook many commissions for the scuole or lay confraternities of Venice, (including 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. 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.
From the collection of Dr Michael Berolzheimer (1866-1942), Fürth, Munich and Untergrainau, Germany, and Mount Vernon, New York; thence by descent.
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