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.
The full page illumination (verso) depicts The Pentecost.
The Virgin Mary is seated center of the room which has colorful marble columns, with hands clasped in prayer, looking to her right with an opened gilt-edge book on her lap. She is surrounded on both sides by gesticulating Apostles who are seated with their eyes are focused on the Holy Spirit in the form of a radiant dove descending from above.
The three-line illuminated “D” opens the Hours of the Holy Spirit – Hour of Matins: “Domine…” (Thou O Lord wilt open my lips. And my mouth shall declare thy praise. Incline unto my aid O God…). Recto concludes the Hours of the Cross – Hour of Compline.
The last two-line illuminated “H” begins the hymn: “Has horas…” (These hours canonical with devotion to Thee And with godly intention O Christ we address, In the fervor of Thy love that hast suffered for me, Comfortable be to me in bitter death's distress, Amen).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
