c 1500 Book of Hours Leaf - The Holy Trinity

$1,995.00

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 three-line illuminated initial in blue with delicate white penwork with an internal floral design in red and green on a burnished gold ground. The text and miniature painting, recto, are surrounded by an intricate floral border (including strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness) in red, blue, and green on a 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 depicts The Holy Trinity. Christ and God-Father are seated side by side . Christ’s wounds are shown dripping blood and wearing the crown of thorns . He holds a large tau-cross upright in his right arm, while his left hand supports a gilt-edged open book turned to face the viewer. God-Father’s right hand rests on top edge of the book supported by Christ. A radiant Dove, as the Holy Spirit, hovers above the book. The heads and wings of red and blue angels are seen standing in front of the Holy Trinity.

The three-line illuminated “T” begins a prayer to the Holy Trinity: "Teprecorum te sancte pater eterne deus omnipotens..." (I pray to you , Holy Father, eternal God almighty...)

Provenance:   ex-collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art, acquired in 1919.  Deaccessioned and sold to support the museum collection.

Very fine and unusual representation of the Trinity, with a host of red and blue angels !

Shipped unmatted

  • Inventory# IM-13292