[PLATE XII.]—Illuminated Initial in a Flemish MS. A.D. 1148. (Latin Bible). Brit. Museum, Addl. MS. 14790.
(Shown in Brit. Museum, Department of MSS., Case C, No. 91.)
THE VOLUME—the third, and most interesting, of this MS. Bible (Numbered 14788–89–90)—contains 223 leaves (17 inches by 1178 inches). MARGINS, approximately, Inner 118 inch, Head (cut) 1 inch, Side 238 inches, Foot 312 inches. (Between columns 1516 inch.)
THE WRITING is a not very legible “Gothic.” The zigzag tendency exhibited, especially by the word niniuen (Niniveh), second line, is unsuited for such formal writing (see p. [484]). The rapid placing of the Heads of the letters is such that they appear broken and partly detached from the stems. The VERSALS are of a good type.
THE INITIAL is a monogrammatic ET. The arms of the round
terminate in leaves folded back, its form is hollow and inwoven (p. [208]), and gives rise to foliage, which fills the interior—passing over the fish and behind Jonah. Note also how the jaws of the fish are interlaced, and how compactly all the parts are put together.
The close application of the background to the curves adds to the general compactness, and together with its spacing from the straight front balances the masses (p. [424]): it may be compared to the even spacing of curved and straight strokes (see fig. [53]). There is an extension of the background to hold the fish’s tail. [p422]
| THE COLOURS— | |
|---|---|
| Initial, Foliage, Fish: | red: outlined & lined; Parchment left plain. |
| Jonah: | black: outlined & lined; Parchment left plain. |
| Bands on Initial, | gold, outlined red. |
| Hollows in Initial, | gold, outlined red. |
| Backs of folded leaves: | gold, outlined red. |
| Outer background: | paled green. |
| Dots on outer ground: | red. |
| Inner background: | paled blue. |
We may not, I think, attempt to imitate the complex 12th-century decoration of this initial (see p. [196]), but the treatment of the elements of form and colour is very suggestive, and the whole piece of lettering is characteristic of the grand style in which a book was at that time begun. The ARRANGEMENT of the letters themselves is very simple, and might be made good use of (fig. [220]).