Medieval Book of Hours Leaf - Gospel Lessons - France c 1460

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Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum.(125 x 80mm) 

One two-line illuminated initial in deep blue with delicate penwork in deep red – extending into the margin.

France (Anjou) c.1460-70 Use of Rome.

This leaf begins with part of the Gospel Lesson from John 1:10 – 14: ''et mundus eum…'' (And the world knew him not. He came unto his own, & his own received him not. But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, & dwelt among us, (& we saw his glory, & the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace & truth).

The illuminated ''I'' begins the Gospel Lesson from Luke 1:26-28: ''In illo tempore, missus…'' (At that time, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; & the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail full of grace…).

Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time.  They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.

Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.

  • Inventory# IM-8324
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