Illuminated manuscript leaf: Nativity surrounded by figures and animals, framed by vegetal borders. Front view.

Illuminated manuscript: Nativity with Saint Cecilia, Cl. 23876 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Manuscript leaf adorned with text written in black ink. Front view.

Illuminated manuscript: Nativity with Saint Cecilia, Cl. 23876 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Detail of an illumination: Nativity surrounded by figures and animals, framed by vegetal borders. Front view.

Illuminated manuscript: Nativity with Saint Cecilia, Cl. 23876 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Detail of an illumination depicting a heraldic shield at the center of a stylized vegetal décor. Front view.

Illuminated manuscript: Nativity with Saint Cecilia, Cl. 23876 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Illuminated manuscript: Nativity with Saint Cecilia

Meditations on the Life of Christ by Pseudo-Bonaventure

Description

Not on display

15th century

Late Middle Ages

This Nativity scene, now detached, opened a book of spirituality. Saint Cecilia is represented there with a Gospel.

In the introduction to his book on spirituality, written in elegant Gothic script, the author depicts a scene of the Nativity. He introduces the figure of Saint Cecilia who "holds the Gospel in her heart". Indeed, the Meditations on the Life of Christ promote contemplative prayer, also known as "rumination". They invite us to emulate Saint Cecilia, who meditated day and night on the most poignant passages of Christ's life.   

The sheet is stamped with the weapons of Chabannes and Madic (Cantal).

The illumination is of genuine artistic interest, as it stands out with vibrant, contrasting colours and a flat, somewhat dry texture. It refers to the lesser-known production from the Centre-West of France, around 1460-1470.

Translation by Jean de Galopes 

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