Initial S: The Stoning of Saint Stephen, cutting from an antiphonal
An illuminated initial S from a choir book (antiphonal) made around 1500 by Master B.F., a painter working in manuscript illumination for church liturgical use. The picture shows the stoning of Saint Stephen in a rounded medallion framed by scrolling blue, pink and gold foliage. A designer might take the interlaced acanthus-like border and gold ground as a model for decorative initials, framing devices and historiated letter layouts.
