Double-Sided Leaf from a Sensul

This is a leaf from a group of three from a hagiographical source on the martyrs. They are decorated on both sides and portray: the enthroned Virgin and Child, SS. John and James son of Zebedee; SS. Philip and Nathanael, two unidentified saints; an unknown saint and St. Matthew, and St. Theodore. Their style is characterized by a palette dominated by yellow and red and by a very geometrical handling of drapery and body contours. These traits are consistent with the art of the early Solomonic period (1270–1527) and the leaves should be dated to the sixteenth century. The three leaves are similar to those in a manuscript with the lives of Estifanos and Abaherazon in the New York Public Library (Spencer Collection, Ethiopic MS 7), dated to after 1480.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

Given to Rev. R. K. Le Fleur, ca. 1970 (?); given to Walters Art Museum, 2014.