Medieval Gregorian Chant – Seville, ca. 1430

This is an original leaf from a 15th century Gregorian chant. This musical sheet was executed by hand in manuscript calligraphy on animal parchment. The music and text (six lines written in rounded gothic script) are written in black ink, on a five-line-stave, with headings and rubrics in red. This striking leaf is related to choirbooks attributed to master of the Cypresses ( Pedro da Toledo?) who illuminated 20 Choirbooks preserved in the Cathedral of Seville. The flamboyant illuminated S” extends the length of the five stave and is in red with white tracery and richly decorated with a floral motif in orange, blu, mauve, and green on a beautiful burnished gold ground. This initial extends into the margin with an elegant rinceaux-style border of acanthus leaves and flowers in the same rich colors adorned with gold bezants. The illuminated ” I ” extends the length of the five-line stave and is burnished gold on a ground of blue and red with a delicate floral motif extending into the margin in vines of gold bezants! The illuminated “S” begins a Prayer for Martyrs: ” Statuit ?” ( The Lord settled with him a covenant of peace, and made him a chief , that he might have the honor of Priesthood forever. O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness).

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