MINIATURIST, Spanish (active 1280s) |
Cantigas de Santa María, Codex of the Musicians, folio 29rafter 1280Manuscript (RBMECat b-I-2), 404 x 274 mm Real Biblioteca de San Lorenzo, El Escorial | ||
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The Códice de los músicos (Codex of the Musicians) is the most complete manuscript of Alfonso X's "Cantigas Project", which occupied most of his reign (1252-1284). He considered it an important part of both his political survival and his personal salvation. The picture shows folio 29r, which contains a miniature depicting King Alfonso, surrounded by various figures. Two minstrels tune their vihuelas (a plucked Spanish string instrument), a scribe, with a pen in hand, ready to write the modifications dictated by the king. It probably represents the rehearsal of one of the Cantigas.
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