Manuscript Illumination with Singing Monks in an Initial D, from a Psalter 1501 - 1502

Girolamo dai Libri made this manuscript illumination with singing monks in an initial D, from a Psalter, around the early 16th century. Here we see an example of a kind of highly specialized, luxury devotional object made in Italy for the consumption of a wealthy elite. The cultural reference to monastic orders points us to one important aspect of the social conditions that shaped it. Monasteries were not just religious institutions, they were centers of power, wealth, and influence. Illuminated manuscripts were often commissioned by or created for monastic orders as part of their religious practices. The image creates meaning through visual codes, such as the monks' robes, and historical associations, such as the importance of music in religious ceremony. Art historians use a range of research resources, such as archival documents, to understand the social and institutional contexts in which art was made. We can better understand the public role of art and the politics of imagery.