(181 x 129mm – 7 1/8 x 5’’) Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 20 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink on animal vellum.
Two illuminated two-line initials in blue and white on a sepia ground with gold penwork; one line extender in blue and sepia with gold penwork. For sister leaf see The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection, #61 – Cleveland Museum of Art.
Northern France (Paris or Rouen), c. 1500-10.
The dramatic eight-line miniature painting on verso (48x45mm – 1 7/8 x 1 ¼’’) depicts Saint Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata from above – a golden cross with the figure of Christ. Descending red rays strike bleeding palms of the saint’s raised hands, his feet, and his side where blood is evident.
Elaborately decorated side panel borders illuminated in colors & liquid gold with a floral design; Bas-de-page panel paintings at the bottom of each page are set between two columns. On each page a different whimsical medieval creature, armed with a broom, searches for something between two fruit trees. The beast on verso focuses on a bird resting in the tree at right.
The two-line illuminated “O” begins a prayer of St. Sebastian: ”Omnipotens…” (Almighty and everlasting God, who, by the merits of the blessed Sebastian…). The text next to the miniature painting begins an antiphon to Saint Francis, identified in blue script : “Fidelis…” (A faithful and wise servant, whom the Lord hath set over His household…).
A marvelous leaf in fine condition and unusual iconography. Representations of Saint Francis receiving the stigmata are scarce in medieval books of hours - the extensive catalogs of the Walters Art Gallery list only two examples. Superior to the leaf in the Cleveland Museum (Blackburn #61).
Shipped unmatted.
