Manuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary

Manuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary

Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The solemnity of the scene of Jesus' apostles witnessing the miraculous Assumption of the Virgin into heaven is radically transformed by the depiction of a monstrous green dragon whose body forms the opening letter A of the chant. A contract of 1452 indicates that Cosmè Tura was to paint miniatures on a coffret, and it is therefore inferred that he was active both as a painter and as an illuminator of manuscripts. Displayed in this case and an adjacent one are four illuminations attributed to him from the same ensemble of choir books, two from the gradual for the Mass and two from the antiphonary for the Daily Office.

Medieval Art and The Cloisters

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Manuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an AntiphonaryManuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an AntiphonaryManuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an AntiphonaryManuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an AntiphonaryManuscript Illumination with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world. Displayed in both The Met Fifth Avenue and in the Museum's branch in northern Manhattan, The Met Cloisters, the collection encompasses the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome in the fourth century to the beginning of the Renaissance in the early sixteenth century. It also includes pre-medieval European works of art created during the Bronze Age and early Iron Age.