repository of the ancient and medieval organ

A hooded monkey playing the organ

Date: 1275-1299
Location: New York, Morgan Library and Museum, M.729, f. 306r
Author: Not documented
Technique and materials: Illuminated manuscript
Dimensions: Not documented
Provenance:

Northern France

Within a large letter “D” decorated with geometric motifs and a small diamond-pattern background, the Coronation of the Virgin is depicted. Mary, veiled and crowned, raises her joined hands in prayer toward Christ. He, surrounded by a pearl halo, holds a book in his left hand and raises his right toward his Mother in a gesture of blessing. Both are seated close together on a bench covered with a precious drape. All around, the margins of the page are adorned with leaf and interlacing motifs enclosing six heraldic shields of ancient French families, such as the counts of Soissons and Grandpré. These margins are enlivened by curious and amusing figures: a half-animal man playing the flute and drum, a hooded monkey playing the small organ, various birds and a bizarre figure wearing a donkey hat.

organarium

repository of the ancient and medieval organ

Retracing music and arts networks
enhancing education and
promoting cultural heritage preservation

Contact

Project e-mail
jerus-it-arts@fadbrera.edu.it.it

Marco Negroni
Brera Academy of Fine Arts
marconegroni@fadbrera.edu.it

Repository gitHub

Partners

CC 2026 Organarium / CUP project n. E33C24000160006