The Breslau Psalter
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.
Small miniature with David praying and beasts in border (Psalm 70)
The three beasts in the lower border, including one playing the harp, are representative of the numerous images that pepper the borders of the Breslau Psalter. Unlike the Psalm initials and miniatures, they were intended to delight and amuse.