Original leaf from a printed & hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Ruled Latin text printed in black on animal vellum. Initials & line-endings illuminated by hand in gold, blue and/or red.(168 x 105mm - 6 1/2 x 4 1/8'')
Noted for its DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds on recto are historiated or inhabited forms with French subtitles designed by the Master of Anne of Bretagne and executed by Philippe Pigouchet.
Published by Simon Vostre in Paris for the Use of Rouen c. 1506.
The fine full-page miniature depicting the Garden of Gethsemane was designed by the Master Jean Pichore. Judas is shown planting the Kiss of Betrayal on Jesus' cheek while Peter raises his sword to cut off the ear of Malchus - the high priest's servant.
The side panels tell the story from Genesis of Joseph and his Brothers. The internal panel depicts St. Mark writing his gospels with his attribute, a lion at his feet.
The illuminated "I" begins the Fourth Gospel Lesson - Mark 16:14-20: "In illo..." (At that time he appeared to the eleven...Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned...).
Books of Hours were personal prayer books of a devout & status-conscious society - not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate & afford them.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
