Pages of Gold: Medieval Illuminations from the Morgan

June 19 through September 13, 2009
Image of Scenes from the Life of David

This exhibition comprises nearly sixty lavish single leaves dating from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries. Pierpont Morgan, a preeminent collector of complete medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, also acquired single pages, as did many collectors who developed an appreciation for these orphaned leaves during the nineteenth century. Leaves acquired over the last hundred years, including those of Italian, English, French, Flemish, German, Hungarian, and Spanish origin, are shown. A dozen of these leaves are on view for the first time.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is the finest leaf from the celebrated Winchester Bible, arguably the most lavish English Bible of its time. Made in Winchester during the last quarter of the twelfth century, it contains vivid scenes from the lives of Samuel and David and was the last leaf acquired by Pierpont Morgan before his death in 1913. Other works on view include leaves from a book made for Hungarian nobility, cuttings of initials and leaves from choir books illuminated by Silvestro dei Gherarducci, and works of the Spanish Forger, a twentieth-century medieval painter who successfully forged numerous medieval manuscripts and leaves.

This exhibition is made possible through the generosity of T. Robert Burke and Katherine States Burke, Melvin R. Seiden, and an anonymous donor.

Scenes from the Life of David, leaf from the Winchester Bible, illuminated by the Master of the Morgan Leaf. England, Winchester, Cathedral Priory of St. Swithin, ca. 1160-80. Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1912; MS M.619v.

Selected images

Image of Biblical cycle, leaf from the prefatory cycle of the Eadwine Psalter

Biblical cycle, leaf from the prefatory cycle of the Eadwine Psalter

England, Canterbury, Christ Church Priory
ca. 1155–60

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1911

Image of Biblical cycle leaf

Biblical cycle, leaf from the prefatory cycle of the Eadwine Psalter.

England, Canterbury, Christ Church Priory
ca. 1155–60

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1911

Scenes from the Life of Samuel

England, Winchester, Cathedral Priory of St. Swithin
ca. 1160–80

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1912

Scenes from the Life of David

England, Winchester, Cathedral Priory of St. Swithin
ca. 1160–80

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1912

Last Judgment, in an initial A

Italy, probably Florence
ca. 1280

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan from Leo Olschki, 1907

Scenes from the Life of Christ

Italy, Bologna?
ca. 1325–35

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1909

Celebration of Mass

Italy, Bologna
ca. 1330

Purchased from Maggs Bros. Ltd., 1927

Christ in Majesty

Italy, Florence
ca. 1340

Trinity and Three Angels Appearing to Abraham, in an initial B

Italy, Florence
1392–99

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1909

Two Prophets, in initials S and V

Italy, Florence, Santa Maria degli Angeli
1392–99

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1910

Last Supper, in an initial C

Italy, Florence, Santa Maria degli Angeli
1392–99

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1909

Ascension, in an initial V

Italy, Florence
1392–99

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1909

Adoration of the Magi, in an initial E

Italy, Florence, Santa Maria degli Angeli
1392–99

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1909

Nativity, in an initial P

Italy, Florence
ca. 1392–1399

Resurrection, in an initial A

Italy, Bologna
last quarter of the fifteenth century

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1909

Jesus Stoned by the Crowd, in an initial I

Italy, Milan
ca. 1500

Purchased on the Acquisition Fund, 1995

Virgin and Child with Female Saints

Belgium, Bruges
ca. 1500

Purchased by J. P. Morgan, Jr., 1926

Crucifixion

Germany, Constance
ca. 1510

Purchased as the gift of the Fellows, with special assistance of four members of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Gordon S. Rentschler, and the Arkville Erpf Fund, 1973, in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the Library

Adoration of Magi

Italy, Milan
ca. 1500

The Morgan Library & Museum, 1927

Virgin and Child Enthroned with the Gentleman of Cologne and a Soldier, in an initial A

Spain, Castile, Toledo
ca. 1500

Gift of William S. Glazier, 1958

Pope Clement VII Asperging the Congregation Before Mass

Italy, Rome
ca. 1523

Four Evangelists

Italy, probably Rome
ca. 1572–85

Purchased by Pierpont Morgan from Leo Olschki, 1907

Seated Ruler with Two Women and a Standing Saint

France, perhaps Paris
first quarter of the twentieth century

Purchased (as the Spanish Forger), 1967