Bishop at Mass in a Historiated Initial "P" from a Choirbook c. 1300

This miniature of a bishop saying mass was painted in France, likely around 1300, by Master Honore, and forms the initial “P” in a choir book. Made with vivid pigments and gold leaf applied to treated parchment, the effect is dazzling. But it is also worth considering what such an image meant in its own time. The making of illuminated manuscripts was a highly specialized and collaborative endeavor. Parchment was made from animal skin, stretched, scraped, and prepared to receive ink and paint. Pigments were derived from various sources, including minerals, plants, and insects. Gold leaf, painstakingly hammered thin, added to the preciousness of the work. The resulting manuscript, of which this initial was a part, would have been a significant investment, accessible only to the wealthiest churches and individuals. So, while we can appreciate the beauty of this image, we should also remember that it represents a substantial concentration of labor and resources, reinforcing the power of the medieval church.