ticketsMember | Make a donation

The Trinity in an Initial B

Probably 1387
Not on view
The initial B marks the beginning of the introit to the Mass for Trinity Sunday: Benedicta sit sancta Trinitas ("Blessed be the Holy Trinity").
In the upper half of the initial, the three persons of the Trinity are seated on a throne of red seraphim, and below them are ten angels dressed in white. In the upper corners of the gold border, two bust-length prophets gesture toward the Trinity; partially visible in the lower left corner is the bust-length figure of a white-clad Olivetan monk. This cutting is one of eleven surviving fragments from a lost Gradual painted about 1387 for the Olivetan monastery of San Miniato al Monte in Florence.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Trinity in an Initial B
  • Artist: Master of the Codex Rossiano (Sienese, active ca. 1380–1400)
  • Date: Probably 1387
  • Culture: Italian, Siena
  • Medium: Tempera and gold on parchment
  • Dimensions: Cutting: 10 9/16 x 10 1/16 in. (26.8 x 25.5cm)
    Initial: 10 x 9 9/16 in. (25.4 x 24.3cm)
    Stave: 1 7/16 in. (3.6cm)
  • Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
    1975.1.2476
  • Object Number: 1975.1.2476
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Saint Mary Magdalen, Bartolo di Fredi Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Saint Mary Magdalen
Multiple artists/makers
mid-14th century
Saint Peter, Follower of Lippo Memmi (Italian, Sienese, active mid-14th century) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground, Italian, Siena
Saint Peter
Follower of Lippo Memmi (Italian, Sienese, active mid-14th century)
Follower of Barna da Siena
mid-14th century
Tabernacle frame, Pine. Gold-orange bole., Italian, Siena
Tabernacle frame
Italian, Siena
second quarter 14th century
The Last Supper, Ugolino da Siena (Ugolino di Nerio) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
The Last Supper
Ugolino da Siena (Ugolino di Nerio)
ca. 1325–30
The Adoration of the Magi, Bartolo di Fredi Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
The Adoration of the Magi
Bartolo di Fredi
ca. 1390

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.