The Folios - f.128r
The Penitential Psalms - historiated initial
(Psalms 6, 31(32), 37(38), 50(51), 101(102), 129(130) and 142(143)). The opening of the Penitential Psalms is marked with a historiated initial. The subject chosen for the initial to the first of the Penitential Psalms (Psalm 6) is a representation of Christ enthroned in Majesty and holding a globe. He is surrounded the heads of the 'four living creatures' described in Apocalypse 4 and adopted as symbols of the four Evangelists. The artist belongs to the 'Cholet Group' of Parisian illuminators. The very fine scrolls painted in gold paint on the burnished gold background are a feature found in only a small number of luxurious manuscripts of the late 13th century such as the Alphonso Psalter in the British Library and the Breviary of Philippe le Bel in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. The painting of Christ's mantle shows fine tonal modelling. The scene in the lower margin shows a beardless youth in a tunic shooting at a bird with a bow and arrow.
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