The Mass Of St. Gregory, In The Caesar Master Hours

An illuminator of uncertain origin, who decorated a manuscript of the works of Julius Caesar and is therefore known to art historians as the 'Caesar Master', was the artist of this Book of Hours. Several manuscripts decorated by the artist have been identified: they allow us to deduce that he worked in the middle decades of the 15th century, for clients associated mainly with London and Oxford. An inscription suggests that by 1475 this manuscript was owned by John Alburgh (probably from Alburgh, between Harleston in Norfolk, and Bungay in Suffolk) or one of his close friends or relations. In normal representations of the mass of St. Gregory the saint is accompanied by at least one acolyte, and witnesses a figure of Christ surrounded by the Instruments of the Passion. Here the Instruments and acolyte are absent, and he is accompanied instead by a cardinal, wearing characteristic red vestments.