c 1532 Book of Hours Leaf - John on Patmos

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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 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.

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, John the Evangelist on Patmos Island, where the Roman Emperor Domitian exiled him. Here he received his Vision of the Apocalypse and wrote the Book of Revelation. He sits beneath a tree, surrounded by water, while an eagle (his attribute) with wings spread holds an inkpot and pen case.

The illuminated “I” begins the First Gospel Lesson: John 1:1-14: “In principio…” (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him: and without him was nothing made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth).

Presented in an archival 14 x 11" mat

  • Inventory# IM-12957
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