Psalter with miniatures and historiated initials
Texts and Images
Psalms 1, 26, 38, 51, 52, 68, 80, 97, 101 and 109 introduced the ten sections into which medieval Psalters were often divided. Each of these ten Psalms is preceded by full-page miniatures and opens with a large historiated initial. The remaining 140 Psalms received small miniatures in the borders, usually illustrating their opening verse or main theme.
Historiated initial D with Presentation in the Temple (Psalm 26)
This initial was painted by one of the artists who were responsible for the minor decoration throughout the volume. The palette is similar to that of Hands E, F, and G, but the initial includes a facial type and the sophisticated handling of green characteristic of Hand A. Given Hand A’s prominence in the large images throughout the volume, it is possible that he trained and collaborated with an assistant in this initial.