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’’)
Six illuminated two-line initials & seven illuminated one-line initials in gold alternating on a red-orange or deep blue ground.
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 including St. Lawrence and John the Evangelist
The two-line illuminated “O” begins the prayer: “Omnes sancti…” (O Lord we beseech thee, that all thy saints may everywhere help us: that while we reverently recognize their merits, we may feel their patronages: & grant us thy peace in our times: from thy Church repel all wickedness: & dispose our way, acts, & wills, & of all thy servants in the prosperity of thy salvation: & yield unto our benefactors perpetual good things: & grant eternal rest to all faithful departed…).
The two-line illuminated “S” begins the hymn Salve Regina: (Hail holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, & our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning & weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.).
The two-line illuminated “O” begins: “Omnipotens…” (Almighty, everlasting God, who by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, didst prepare the body & soul of the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary to become a worthy dwelling for Thy Son; grant that we who rejoice in her commemoration may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from present evils and from the everlasting death).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
