c 1510-20 Missal Leaf - Holy Trinity - Guy de Baudreuil

$14,500.00

Original leaf from an important manuscript Missal. Twenty-seven lines of Latin text, written in brown ink in an elegant French batarde script on animal vellum. (288 x 209mm – 11 3/8 x 8 ¼’’) 

One four-line illuminated initial "B" in blue and white with crowned red heart in interior. Four two-line initials, six one-line initials, and five paraphs in gold leaf on blue and sepia grounds highlighted with white.                                           

France (probably Paris), c. 1510-1520.

The focal point is a spectacular miniature painting of the Holy Trinity (95 x 78mm – 3 ¾ x 3 1/8’’). The God-Father and Christ are seated side by side on a backless throne – each supporting with one hand a gilt-edged open book turned to face viewer; God-Father (on right) holds gold cross-topped orb in left hand; radiant  Holy Spirit in form of a white dove hovers above the book; Angels in red and gold stand in background with hands folded; radiant sky and clouds above and below. Style of the miniature indicates the Jean Pichore Workshop, active in Paris c. 1490-1521.

Provenance: This leaf originated from a Missal likely made for Guy de Baudreuil, patron of the arts, and abbot of the ancient monastery of Saint-Martin-aux-Bois 1491-1530. The crown and red heart are devices from the de Baudreuil coat of arms. Crowned red hearts appeared in a number of sister leaves and identify the Missal as Guy de Baudreuil’s commission. A tapestry fragment with the de Baudreuil arms is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The large illuminated “B” next to  the miniature begins: “Benedictasit…” (Blessed be the holy Trinity, and undivided Unity: we will give glory to Him, because He hath shown His mercy to us).

An attractive and elegant leaf in exceptionally nice condition. From a Michigan private collection, acquired before 1999. 

Presented in an archival 16 x 12'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-12761