Original leaf from a French medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with dark brown ink in fine lettre bâtarde script on animal vellum with rubrics in red. One two-line illuminated initial in blue with an internal floral design in blue, pink and white – all on a burnished gold ground. The text, recto, is surrounded by an intricate floral border (including strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness) in red, blue, green on a liquid gold ground. One five-line miniature painting (recto) of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Origin: Paris, France circa 1500.
Size: 110 x 75mm – 4.25 x 2.9 inches, from a diminutive manuscript likely written for a lady.
The miniature painting depicts Mary wearing blue and violet with her hands clasped in prayer.
The text next to the miniature begins the O Intemerata – a popular medieval prayer: “O Intemerata…” (In my last days show unto me thy face. Show me the day and hour of my death. Hear and graciously listen to my humble prayer…).
Provenance: ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919. Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.
Shipped unmatted
