Original leaf from a printed & hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Twenty-eight lines of ruled Latin text, printed in red & black on animal vellum.(178 x 115mm – 7 x 4 ½’’)
Five illuminated two-line initials and numerous illuminated one-line initials in gold alternating on a red-orange or deep blue ground.
Verso: Miniature painting left of text and beneath text depicting David looking longingly out the window at Bathsheba who is pictured beneath the window bathing. Kneeling on the right and looking upwards at Bathsheba is a male messenger with his cap in right hand, note in left beckoning her to David.
Printed by Gilles Hardouyn & hand-painted in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - brother of the printer & a highly skilled illuminator. Paris (Use of Rome), c. 1518.
Noted for its DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds are historiated (containing identifiable scenes or figures) or inhabited forms.
The two-line illuminate “B” begins Daniel 3:84-88: “Benedicite…” (O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord…).
The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 150 complete: “Laudate…” (Praise ye the Lord in his holy places…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus…” (O GOD, who didst allay the flames of fire for the three children, grant in Thy mercy that the flame of vice may not consume us, Thy servants).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
