Original leaf from a printed & beautifully hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Ruled for twenty-six lines of Latin text, printed in black on animal vellum. (163 x 108mm – 6 3/8 x 4 1/4’’)
Initials illuminated by hand in gold, on grounds of blue and/or red with delicate gold penwork. Elaborate border (recto) hand-painted with tempera colors in a floral motif with acanthus leaves on liquid gold ground.
Printed and hand-painted with rich sumptuous colors in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - printer and highly skilled illuminator. Paris, c. 1532.
In purpose and format, printed Books of Hours followed the older manuscript examples. The more luxurious were printed on vellum.
The large miniature painting, framed within gold architectural columns, dramatically depicts The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The miniature painting depicts Mary, in blue robes kneeling in the center with hands clasped in prayer. She is crowned jointly by figures of God the Father, and God the Son who place a golden crown on her head. God the Holy Spirit, in form of a dove, hovers in the center above.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
