c 1532 Book of Hours Leaf - Presentation in Temple (Candlemas)

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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 (verso) 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.

Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Mary & Joseph took the child to the Temple in Jerusalem (as tradition dictated).  Once there, they encountered Simeon the Righteous who prophesized that the infant would redeem the world. The large miniature painting, framed within gold architectural columns, dramatically depicts The Presentation in the Temple.  The miniature painting depicts the haloed Christ Child in front of haloed and mitered Simeon. The Virgin Mary, arms crossed and wearing deep blue robes and kneels on the tiled floor. The gold altar is covered with a green cloth. Simeon’s assistant is dressed in white robes. The haloed Joseph stands with a basket of doves in left hand and lit taper in right hand.  Golden rays descend from above.

In purpose and format, printed Books of Hours followed the older manuscript examples. The more luxurious were printed on vellum. 

The three-line illuminated “D” opens the Hour of None: “Deus in adiutorium…” (Incline unto my aid O God.  O Lord make haste to help me…).

The two-line illuminated “M” begins the hymn Memento Salutis Auctor (Be mindful author of our health…).  

The two-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm 125 (King James 126) complete: “In convertendo…” (When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted…).

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-12961
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