Illuminated Manuscripts

St. Thomas Aquinas Prayer
Mixed Media on watercolour paper

Historiated initial K.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
Omnia quae facis in amore. “Let all that you do be in love."
Caritas means love in Latin. Etymology-- Ancient Greek kara=head, endearment in ancient Greek to express love (sweetheart.)
Image adapted from a leaf in a Spanish Gradual (1430s.)

Historiated Initial I.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
Original: Antiphonary painted by Lorenzo Monaco.
Ca. 1400

Historiated Initial H:
Saint Stephen
dressed as a church deacon, holding and contemplating the stones with which he was martyred.
H introduces a chant sung on the feast day of Saint Stephen on December 26, the day after Christmas.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
Original Bohemian ca. 1400

Christ is Risen
“Quem quaeritis? Surrexit, non est hic. Praecedent vos in Galilee" translates to "Whom do you seek? He is risen, he is not here. Go before you to Galilee." It is a key part of the medieval Easter liturgy and liturgical drama, "Visitatio Sepulchri" (Visit to the Tomb.)

Historiated Initial G:
The Trinity
Mixed Media on watercolour paper.
This initial introduces the antiphon that follows the reading of the nine psalms in the office of prime: Gloria tibi Trinitas... (Glory be to the Trinity).
Original from Bohemia, Prague, early 15th Century

Thank You! Beautiful Spanish leaf.

Historiated Initial F:
King David
Mixed Media on watercolour paper.
After an illuminated initial A by Matteo da Milano in the Salzburg Missal (Ca. 1500.)

thank you!

Historiated Initial L:
This initial begins the first response of the first nocturn of Matins for the fourth Sunday in Lent, "Locutus est dominus ad moysen ..." (The Lord spoke to Moses).
Mixed Media on watercolour paper.
After an illuminated initial in the Salzburg Missal. Ca. 1500

Historiated Initial O:
Introduces the Introit to the Mass for the third Sunday of Lent.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
After a miniature by Domenico Morone ( 1442-1518.)
“My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he shall pluck my feet out of the snare.”

YouTube video by Swan Pilgrimage Be Thou My Vision — Traditional Irish Christian Hymn

In honour of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow I offer a old Irish hymn and music adaptation, sung by my son;
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_wS...

Historiated Initial E:
David Lifting up His Soul to God.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
After a painting by Franco dei Rossi (Italian, active 1453 - 82) From a frontispiece of the first volume of an antiphonal belonging to a famous series of choir books commissioned by Cardinal Bessarion.

Historiated Initial D:
St. Agnes, patron saint of young girls is depicted with a lamb, as her name resembles ‘agnus’, (latin for lamb.)
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
After a cutting from a German antiphonal (a liturgical choir book.) 15th C.

Historiated Initial C: The Creation of the World.
God creates the elements of the world with a touch of his finger.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
After a cutting from an Italian antiphonal (a liturgical choir book.) Ca. 1420.

Historiated Initial B: Four Saints. Cutting from an antiphonal (a liturgical choir book.)
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
After the Olivetan Master (Ca. 1450)

Historiated Initial A: Cutting from an antiphonal (a liturgical choir book.)
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
After a painting by Frate Nebridio (Ca. 1470) of Saints Maurice and Theofredus who were honoured in liturgical chants for their faith and martyrdom.

Sedes Sapientiae. (Seat of Wisdom)
Oil on Panel
Celebrate The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1
Listen to Ave Maria on honour of Mary www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJfZ...

Thank you!

Saint Veronica Displaying the Sudarium.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
The woman who wiped Jesus’ faces was Veronica, (from the Latin "vera icona," meaning "true icon."
Adapted from a Book of Hours created by the Master of Guillebert de Mets, (Ca. 1450.)

Saint Nicholas.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
Images adapted from the paintings of Taddeo Crivelli (Ca. 1470.)

Exhortation Before Marriage
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
This is a pre-Vatican II marriage rite customarily read by a priest during the marriage ceremony.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Latin: "Veni, veni, Emmanuel") is a Christian hymn for Advent. Mixed media on watercolour paper.
Inspired by a medieval manuscript by a follower of the Boucicaut Master and a painting of angels by Giovanni dal Ponte ca. 1410.

Psalm 23 Mixed media on watercolour paper.
After a manuscript painting by Jean Bourdichon. Ca. 1500.

Beatitudes.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
Border design inspired by a manuscript painting by Jean Bourdichon. Ca. 1500.

Mary's Magnificat.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
Border design inspired by a manuscript painting by Jean Bourdichon. Ca. 1500.

Hail Maria Hail Sopia. oil on panel. 61cm x 46cm.
The image is based on paintings by Carlo Crivelli and Fra Angelico.
Listen here: youtube.com/watch?v=1Tbi...
For a meditation on the meaning read Logan Norman's article on Swan Pilgrimage @ Substack: swanpilgrimage.substack.com/p...

Psalm 119 Mixed media on watercolour paper.
After a manuscript painting by Jean Bourdichon. Ca. 1500.

4 Evangelists.
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
Images adapted from a Fra Angelico Christ ca. 1440 and an illuminated montage of cuttings taken from choir books in the Sistine Chapel. ca. 1570.

Pentecost. Mixed media on watercolour paper. Images adapted from Missale : para uso del Cardenal Pallavicino, ca. 1500 & Jacopo Filippo Argenta, ca. 1500