Initial A[ngelus Domini descendit] from an Antiphonary: The Three Marys at the Tomb
Unknown Artist
c. 1280–1300
![Initial A[ngelus Domini descendit] from an Antiphonary: The Three Marys at the Tomb by Unknown Artist](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.artheonmuseum.org%2Fcleveland%2Fthumb%2Finitial-a-ngelus-domini-descendit-from-an-antiphonary-the-cleveland-129798.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Medium
ink, tempera, and gold on parchment
Dimensions
18 × 15.8 cm
Classification
Manuscript
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
Accession Number
1952.232
About this artwork
This large initial A introduces the matins (about 2:30 a.m.) response for Easter: Angelus Domini descendit de celo (An angel of the Lord descended from heaven). The letter that begins the text is commonly and appropriately decorated with a depiction of this Easter morning event. The three holy women known as "the three Marys" (Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of James; and Salome) are shown approaching Jesus's tomb with jars of spice to anoint the body. They are met by an angel in dazzling white...