The Breslau Psalter

Psalter with miniatures and historiated initials

Texts and Images

Psalms 1, 26, 38, 51, 52, 68, 80, 97, 101 and 109 introduced the ten sections into which medieval Psalters were often divided. Each of these ten Psalms is preceded by full-page miniatures and opens with a large historiated initial. The remaining 140 Psalms received small miniatures in the borders, usually illustrating their opening verse or main theme.

Historiated initial C with David and chanting clerics (Psalm 97)

This initial painted by Hand F illustrates the first verse of Psalm 97, Cantate domino (‘Sing ye to the Lord’). It shows David enthroned and pointing at clerics who sing out of a Choir Book.

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