3-040-095 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Decorated Initial D; Sacramentary, first quarter of 11th century. Additional Info:This page contains the first line of a prayer for Easter. The initial letter, a D in the round shape of the uncial script, occupies most of the page and supports a growth of dynamic interlace that winds around the letter. After the initial D , the first line of text continues in gold on a bar at the bottom of the page: D[eu]s qui hodierna die (O God, who on this day). An exuberant gold vine with silver leaves springs from a pair of twisted columns flanking the large initial. Two figures, who bear no thematic relationship to the text, climb on the vine. Their poses and the colors of their clothing--one in blue tunic and red leggings and the other in red tunic and blue leggings--contribute to the lively design of the page as a whole.