• Reading Public Museum
    Open 11a-5p DailyAdmission
  • Neag Planetarium
    Show ScheduleAdmission
  • Arboretum
    Open everyday from sunrise to sunset
Collections Menu

Bifolio from a Choir Book

Bifolio from a Choir Book

Culture: Spanish

Collected by: Otto F. Ege (American, 1888 - 1951)

Date: 1400 - 1450
Medium: ink on vellum
Dimensions:
Sheet (unfolded): 30 3/4 x 44 1/2 in. (78.1 x 113 cm)
Framed: 32 1/2 x 46 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (82.6 x 118.1 x 4.4 cm)
Credit Line:Museum Purchase
Object number: 1923.28.3.2

This large bifolio sheet is from a choir book originally used at the Monastery of Santa Isabel la Real in Granada, Spain. The monastery was founded by Queen Isabella of Castile in 1501 for the nuns of Santa Clara. Begun during the Spanish Inquisition, the chapel was finished in 1525, while the cloister was finished in 1592.

The original choir book weighed 125 pounds. The impressively large format was used because it needed to be seen by groups of singers during the church service.

In Collection(s)