Flemish Psalter
Available
Northern Netherlands
Netherlands
1200 - 1300
Liturgy

Flemish Psalter

  • Circle of the Franciscan Master

Manuscript in Latin on vellum

Southern Netherlands, Bruges/Ghent, c. 1255–1265

240 x 170 mm

Price on request.

150 leaves. 4 full-page compositions, one of which a historiated initial. 9 large historiated initials, full illustrated calendar, each leaf decorated with an image, showing mostly rural occupations. Numerous 3- to 4-line champie initials, a few partial borders, some with animals, 1-line initials in gold or blue. Contemporary white calfskin binding, remains of two clasps, modern fitted case.

This beautifully decorated Psalter from the Southern Netherlands encompasses twelve calendar illustrations, three full-page miniatures, one full-page ‘Beatus’ initial as well as nine large historiated initials.

As is usual for this type of book, the illuminations are grouped together at the beginning, preceding the text which consists of prayers, psalms, cantica, and litanies. Psalters occupy a vital position within historical manuscript production and use, not just as predecessors of the immensely popular Book of Hours, but as reflections of a changing devotional landscape in Europe.

The pinnacle of psalter production was in the first half of the 13th century. During this time, these devotional manuscripts became increasingly popular with female lay owners who often bequeathed them to their daughters. The style of the manuscript’s decoration is characteristic of the southern Netherlands; including large figures outlined in black, folds and draperies are also emphasised by black outlines against burnished gold. The figures are created with few confident strokes, using a high level of abstraction. This Psalter is a fascinating example of Netherlandish manuscript production oscillating between French and Germanic influences, with three full-page illuminations, one full-page initial, and charming zoomorphic initials throughout the text.

Illuminated page from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting the Descent from the Cross with Mary, John, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus lowering Christ’s body.
f. 13v Descent from the Cross, with Mary and John, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus helping to bring the body down
Illuminated page from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting a historiated initial D with a beardless saint seated on a bench holding an empty scroll.
f. 31v Historiated Initial D: beardless saint sitting on a bench, holding an empty scroll
Illuminated page from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting a historiated initial D with a seated beardless saint holding a scroll beside Latin text.
f. 42r: Historiated Initial D: beardless saint sitting on a bench, holding an empty scroll
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting historiated initials Q and D with seated saints integrated into decorated initials.
f. 51v-52r Historiated Initials Q and D
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting a historiated initial S with Christ blessing above and King David immersed in waves below.
f. 61r Historiated Initial S: In the upper part of the letter S, the blessing Christ holding a sphere, in the lower bend the naked David immersed in waves
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting a historiated initial C with a seated beardless saint holding an empty scroll.
f. 85v Historiated Initial C: beardless saint sitting on a bench, holding an empty scroll
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting the Nativity with the Christ Child placed on a pillar between the ox and donkey.
f. 11v Nativity, in an amusing arrangement, in which the Christ Child in his manger is placed on a pillar together with the ox and donkey
Illuminated page from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting a December calendar page with a baker working at an oven.
f. 10v December calendar page: baker at oven
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting October and November calendar scenes with a peasant sowing and a farmer slaughtering cattle.
f. 9v - 10r October calendar page: peasant sowing, November calendar page: farmer slaughtering cattle
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting August and September calendar scenes with peasants harvesting grain and grapes and corn with a sickle.
f. 8v-9r August calender page: peasant harvesting corn with a sickle, September: peasant harvesting grapes (or other fruit)
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting June and July calendar scenes with a peasant carrying wood and harvesting hay with a scythe.
f. 7v-8r June calendar page: peasant carrying wood, July: peasant harvesting hay with a scythe
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting April and May calendar scenes with a horseman and a falconer on horseback.
f. 6v-7r April: horseman seen from behind, May: falconer on horseback seen from the front
Illuminated pages from a 13th century medieval manuscript depicting February and March calendar scenes with an elegant woman and a farmer digging plants.
f. 5v-6r February: an elegant woman with two sticks, March: farmer digging up plants
f. 5r January: the Roman god Janus, here with three faces instead of two, sits at the table and eats and drinks.

Read more about this manuscript in our publication

Living with Nature