Historiated initial

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Merge arrow
 It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Initial. (Discuss)
The letter P as a historiated initial (depicting Peter) in an illuminated Latin bible, 1407 AD
The letter P as a historiated initial (depicting Peter) in an illuminated Latin bible, 1407 AD

An historiated initial is an enlarged letter at the beginning of a paragraph or other section of text, which contains a picture. Strictly speaking, an inhabited initial contains figures (human or animal) that are decorative only, without forming a subject, like a historiated one. Both sorts became very common and elaborate in illuminated manuscripts. These initials were first seen in Insular art of the early 8th century.[1] The earliest known example is in the St Petersburg Bede, an Insular manuscript of 731-46.

The oldest historiated initial known. St Petersburg Bede, 8th century.
The oldest historiated initial known. St Petersburg Bede, 8th century.

In the context of typography in illuminated manuscripts, a grisaille is a historiated initial painted using a monochrome palette.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Leaves of Gold: Glossary of Medieval Manuscript Terms. Philadelphia Museum of Art (2002).
This typography-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
This article about an illuminated manuscript is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.