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, (verso) framed within gold architectural columns, dramatically depicts The Pentecost. The Virgin Mary is seated center of the marble tiled room, gazing directly at the reader with hands outstretch (orant). She is surrounded on both sides by haloed Apostles with their eyes focused on the Holy Spirit in the form of a radiant dove descending from above.
Recto concludes the Hours of the Cross – Hour of Compline.
The two-line illuminated “H” begins the hymn: “Has horas…” (These hours canonical with devotion to Thee And with godly intention O Christ we address, In the fervor of Thy love that hast suffered for me, Comfortable be to me in bitter death's distress, Amen).
The three-line illuminated “D” beneath the miniature (verso) opens the Hours of the Holy Spirit – Hour of Matins: “Domine…” (Thou O Lord wilt open my lips. And my mouth shall declare thy praise. Incline unto my aid O God…).
Shipped in archival 14x11” mat.
