Manuscript Leaf with the Nativity in an Initial H, from an Antiphonary

Manuscript Leaf with the Nativity in an Initial H, from an Antiphonary

Master of the Riccardiana Lactantius

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Christmas story is painted with great charm in a pleasing blend of pastel colors and a profusion of floral and leaf ornament. Angels in the sky proclaim Jesus’ birth, but their scrolls mistakenly read Groria and Grolia instead of Gloria—was the scribe fatigued, in haste, or simply a poor speller?

Medieval Art and The Cloisters

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Manuscript Leaf with the Nativity in an Initial H, from an AntiphonaryManuscript Leaf with the Nativity in an Initial H, from an AntiphonaryManuscript Leaf with the Nativity in an Initial H, from an AntiphonaryManuscript Leaf with the Nativity in an Initial H, from an AntiphonaryManuscript Leaf with the Nativity in an Initial H, 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.