c 1532 Book of Hours Leaf - Saint Roch

$0.00

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 on each side hand-painted with tempera colors in a floral motif with acanthus leaves on liquid gold ground.  One hand-painted miniature of Saint Roch (verso).

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. 

This leaf is from the section of Suffrages - prayers to saints who were considered the protectors, helpers & guardians of medieval people.  

The miniature painting depicts St. Roch (invoked against the plague; patron saint of dogs).  The painting show an angel pointing to the plague “bubo” (symptom of the bubonic plague) on his thigh while his attribute , a dog, holds bread in his mouth in the foreground (a dog is said to have saved Saint Roch by supplying him with bread). The text begins: “Ave Roche…” (Hail, most holy Roche, born of noble blood, thou art marked by the plan of the cross on thy left side, O Roche, traveler having escaped from dire pestilence & having been touch miraculously, O health-bringer by touching. Be present, Roche, roused by the utterance of an angelic voice, thou hast obtained from God the power to drive away pestilence from everyone).  

The two-line illuminated “D” begins:  “Deus…” (O God, who promised to the blessed Roche through thine angel …).  The text also contains part of the Suffrages of Saints Claudius and Anthony.

Shipped unmatted

  • Inventory# IM-13045
Sold Out