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.
The large miniature painting, (recto) framed within gold architectural columns, dramatically depicts a miniature painting of the Virgin of the Apocalypse: The haloed Virgin Mary dressed in blue and violet stands on a golden crescent moon and holds the haloed Christ Child in her left arm. They are surrounded by a mandorla with golden flames.
This leaf opens the Office of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The three-line illuminated “D” begins: Domine…” (Thou O Lord wilt open my lips. And my mouth shall declare thy praise. Incline unto my aid O God. O Lord make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit…).
Shipped in archival 14x11” mat.
