Two angels playing an organ and a gittern

  • Paris, Bibl. Mazarine, ms. 0976, f. 034v - vue 2
  • Paris, Bibl. Mazarine, ms. 0976, f. 034v - vue 1

Summary

: Two angels playing an organ and a gittern

: Paris, Île-de-France, France
Location type : Library

: France, , France

: 15

: 1400 -1499

: Illumination

: Paper / Parchment

: Initiale

: Jésus au désert servi par les anges


:
http://initiale.irht.cnrs.fr/decors/decors.php?id=75345


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Performer(s)
  • Performer information
    Type: musician

    Genre: angel

    Posture: Seated

    Instrument information
    Instrument : gittern - (Hornbostel-Sachs system: 321.32 )
    Number of soundholes: 4
    Soundhole s shape: several holes
    Soundhole s position: central
    Comment: There are 4 sound holes, 3 of which are single holes while one has several holes.
    Position of the instrumentalist: sitting
    Playing technique: Plucked
    Bowed: no
    Finger placement on the fingerboard: yes
    Struck: no
    Plucked: yes
    Position of the hand: near the tailpiece
    Plectrum: no
    Body shape: piriform with handle
    Neck: short
    Frets: no
  • Performer information
    Type: musician

    Genre: angel

    Posture: Seated

    Instrument information
    Instrument : organ - (Hornbostel-Sachs system: 412.1-8 )
    Type: portable




Function of the sound: accompaniment

Context of the sound: angelic music, ceremonial music

Contextual relation: The image is a literal illustration of the text telling the story of the temptation of the Christ in desert.

Comment: The angel serving Christ has liturgical objects in his hands signaling the ceremonial dimension of the image. The music in this image is emphasizing the ceremonial and miraculous character of this meal and has thus accompanying function. The other angel in the upper right side of the image functions as a source of inspiration for the angel musicians.

Formal: The holy spirit's positioning

Chromatic: Serving angel's wings- The holy spirit

Comment: The holy spirit is positioned in the upper right corner and inspires the entire scene. The gittern playing angel is directly looking at him. The blue color of the serving angel's wings correspond to the holy spirit's color which emphasizes his inspirational role.