Medieval Book of Hours Leaf - St Sebastian

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours, with illuminations by a Master of the Boucicaut School. 15 lines of red-ruled, Latin text, written with dark brown ink in gothic book-hand script on animal vellum. (127 x 92mm) 

One two-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on blue and pink ground extending into the margin with a delicate rinceaux design in burnished gold, red and blue; one illuminated line extender in blue and burnished gold.

Northern France (Paris), c. 1420-30.

This leaf continues the Feast of St. Sebastian (Patron Saint of archers and soldiers & invoked against the plague): ''O quam mira...'' (O with what wonderful grace shines the famous martyr Sebastian who, carrying the insignia of a soldier but concerned about the palm of victory of his brothers, comforted the fearful hearts, with the heavenly word addressed to him...).

The two-line illuminated ''D'' begins:  ''Deus qui...'' (O God who so eagerly strengthened blessed Sebastian thy martyr in thy faith and love that by no allurements of the flesh, by no threats of tyrants, and by no swords or arrows of executioners could he be recalled from thy worship, grant to us unhappy sinners, by his deserved favors and intercessions, help in tribulation, solace in persecution, a cure in every time against the plague...).

Provenance:  Sotheby's - ex G. Barilla of Geneva, and formerly Frederick Fowler collection (England c. 1820's). 

Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat.

  • Inventory# IM-11169
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