The present initial "H" comes from a gigantic format Bible (approximately 50 x 35 cm) that art historian Pietro Toesca referred to in 1912 as Bibbie Atlantiche (referring to the mythical creature that supported the sky) and which is now known as the Atlantic Bible (referring to the size of the Atlantic Ocean). This model of Bible, which began to spread in Rome at the end of the 11th century before expanding throughout Italy and especially Florence during the 12th century, aimed, through its enormous size, to represent the extreme importance of the text as well as the donor. Only a few Atlantic Bibles have survived to this day, and the pages or initials from these types of books are rare. The Bible from which our initial comes from is unidentified, but two initials from the same Bible are known and were part of the important collection of Esther Rosenbaum. Moreover, the present initial comes from three major collections of medieval art: the collection of Arnold J. Mettler (Swiss, 1867-1945), who used to own two other sister initials, Cornelius J. Hauck (American, 1893-1967) and Robert McCarthy (English). The first one had an extremely impressive collection of medieval manuscripts and rare books, which was dispersed via several sales. The second one deposited his collection, focusing on the history of books, at the Cincinnati Museum Center. The last-named collector has one of the most important collections of medieval art: his impressive miniatures collection is published in a three volumes book, where our initial is described by prof. Gaudenz Freuler.

Painted by a Roman illuminator (active late 11th century-early 12th century), this beautiful initial "H" opens the text of the Book of Deuteronomy (from the Greek Deuteronomion, meaning "second law"), the fifth book of the Bible. This richly illuminated and large initial is composed of three staves (two vertical and one cross-stave) forming the initial’s body. The staves are composed of various segments of green, red, purple and blue small panels with interlaced ornaments in white and yellow dots, as well as four decorative knots on top and bottom of the two vertical staves, and yellow patterns that define the entire form of this initial. Above the cross-stave are the words "Haec s[un]t" and under it is the word "verba" (repositioned). The initial and the words in red ink form the first words of the text: "Haec sunt vera" ("These words are").

The stylistic analysis of this initial indicates that this work was painted in central Italy, most certainly Rome, c. 1100. More specifically, this initial is close to two Atlantic Bibles: one is now preserved in Munich (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek ms. Clm. 13001) and the other one is held in Florence (Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, ms. Pluteo 15.10). The first Bible was commissioned by the Emperor Henry IV in Rome and then gifted to Hirsau Abbey (in Calw, Germany) before 1084. The latter was produced in Florence during the first decades of the 12th century and shows one initial "H" with ornaments and stylistic patterns that are especially close to the present initial. While carrying almost a thousand years of history, the present work is extremely striking with its modernity, notably with the geometrical ornaments and the use of bright colors.

We thank Peter Kidd for pointing out that this initial was part of the Arnold J. Mettler collection.

Sister leaves
Initials "C" (?) and "I": former collection of Arnold J. Mettler; New York, Parke-Bernet Galleries, November 30, 1948, part of lot 235.
Initials "A" and "O": Esther Rosenbaum collection; London, Sotheby’s, April 25, 1983, lot 6.