Book of Hours Leaf c 1518 - Miniature Saints, Gabriel & Trinity

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Original leaf from a printed & beautifully hand-illuminated Book of Hours.  Twenty-eight lines of ruled Latin text, printed in red & black on animal vellum. (178 x 115mm – 7 x 4 ½’’) 

Initials illuminated by hand in gold, on grounds of blue or sepia with delicate gold penwork. The paneled surrounds are historiated or inhabited. Printed by Gilles Hardouyn & hand-painted with rich sumptuous colors in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - brother of the printer & a highly skilled illuminator.  Paris (Use of Rome), c. 1518.

This leaf opens the Hours of the Virgin – Hour of Matins. The full page illumination depicts the Reconciliation of Justice and Peace, Church and Mercy; salvation of man decreed by God-Father (See Walters catalog # 200 for similar iconography).

The Four Female Defenders of the Faith are personified by (left to right and not necessarily above the Latin word of association) St. Barbara (for Church “Ecclesia” with church building at her feet), St. Katherine (for Justice “Justicia” and holding one of her attributes the sword), Mary Magdalene (for Peace “Pax” holding a bottle of ointment) and St. Dorothy (representing Mercy “Misericordia” and holding her attribute a rose).  Behind them is the Angel Gabriel wearing a green robe with red and silver wings, and above is the Holy Trinity with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11434
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