Antiphonary
Unknown Artist
15th–16th century
Medium
Tempera, ink and gold on paper; leather binding
Dimensions
Overall: 15 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 1 3/8in. (39.4 x 24.1 x 3.5cm)
Classification
Manuscripts and Illuminations
Culture
Spanish
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889
Accession Number
89.27.2
Art Historical Context
Step into the luminous world of medieval Spanish devotion with this exquisite *Antiphonary*, a manuscript from the 15–16th century. Crafted by an unknown artist, this book of antiphons—short chants sung during Catholic services—served as an essential tool for church musicians and clergy. Its Spanish origins place it amid the vibrant cultural and religious fervor of late medieval Iberia, where illuminated manuscripts bridged art and faith, preserving sacred texts for communal worship. The artwork's medium of tempera, ink, and gold on paper, bound in leather, showcases masterful illumination te...