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 and white with an internal floral design all on burnished gold ground; three two-line illuminated initials and three one-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on blue and red ground with white penwork.. One six-line miniature painting of the Flagellation. The text and miniature painting, recto, are surrounded by an intricate floral border in red, blue, green on a liquid gold ground. The ¼ border, verso, is a colorful floral motif on liquid gold ground.
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 (recto) depicts a haloed Christ tied to a column at center front looking to his right; two flagellators stand on either side of him. The men raise their staffs to strike his head. The wounds on Christ are indicated by red hatched lines.
The two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus in adiutorium…” (Incline unto my aid O God. O Lord make haste to help me…).
The two-line illuminated “C” begins “Hora sexta…” (To the Cross Christ nailed was the sixth hour of the day,
And there hanging with two thieves reputed was as they: Thirsting by torments made with gall they seek to slake:
Mocked was the Lamb while He our guilt on Him did take.).
Provenance: ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919. Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.
Shipped unmatted
