Original leaf from a French medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with dark brown ink in fine lettre bâtarde script on animal vellum with rubrics in red. One two-line illuminated initial in blue and white with an internal floral design all on burnished gold ground; three two-line illuminated initials and three one-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on blue and red ground with white penwork.. One six-line miniature painting of The Crucifixion. The text and miniature painting, recto, are surrounded by an intricate floral border in red, blue, green on a liquid gold ground. The ¼ border, verso, is a colorful floral motif on liquid gold ground.
Origin: Paris, France circa 1500.
Size: 110 x 75mm – 4.25 x 2.9 inches, from a diminutive manuscript likely written for a lady.
The miniature painting (recto) depicts Christ nailed to the cross. In addition to the blood from the nails and crown of thorns, blood also is shown spurting from a wound on Christ’ side caused by a man beneath him inserting a lance.
The two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus in adiutorium…” (Incline unto my aid O God. O Lord make haste to help me…).
The two-line illuminated “H” begins “Hora nona…” (Jesus Lord at the ninth hour His spirit forth did send: Crying Eli and His soul to Father did commend: With a lance a soldier did pierce through His tender side: The earth then trembled and the sun His shining light did hide).
Provenance: ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919. Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.
Shipped unmatted
