c 1532 Book of Hours Leaf - Flight into Egypt

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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 (recto) hand-painted with tempera colors in a floral motif  (with strawberry – symbol of perfect righteousness) 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, c1532.

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

The large miniature painting, (verso) framed within gold architectural columns, dramatically depicts a miniature painting of The Flight into Egypt.  The historiated initial depicts The Flight into Egypt. The Virgin Mary is shown wearing a blue robe while holding the Christ Child as they sit upon a donkey on their journey down a rock-strewn road.  Joseph, wearing orange robes, walks along side them. 

Recto concludes the Hour of None for the Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The two-line illuminated “O” begins:  Omnes…” (O Lord we beseech thee, that all thy saints may everywhere help us: that while we reverently recognise their merits, we may feel their patronages: and grant us thy peace in our times…).

The three-line illuminated “D” beneath the miniature begins the Hour of Vespers: “Deus…” (Incline unto my aid O God. O Lord make haste to help me…).

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-13025
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