Book of Hours Leaf c 1470-90 - Pieta Miniature Painting

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Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 24 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin in angular gothic book-hand script on animal vellum. Rubrics in red. (178 x 125mm – 7 x 5’’) 

One two-line illuminated initial in liquid gold on red ground with gold penwork; one illuminated line extender in gold on red and blue ground. Unusual vibrant and elaborate panel borders in colorful floral motif (including grapes – symbol of the blood of Christ, strawberries – symbol of perfect righteousness, and red rose – symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary) in red, green, blue and white on gold ground.       

France: Rouen, (Use of Rouen) c. 1470-90.

Eleven-line miniature painting of The Pietà: The Virgin Mary, wearing blue robes, is seated with her back to the Cross, right arm supporting the body of Christ, right hand on his abdomen. She looks down at the face of Christ whose head is upright, body draped across his mother’s lap with all five wounds evident.  In the background are hills and turrets.

The two-line illuminated “S” begins the hymn: Stabat Mater Dolorosa: “Stabat…” (At, the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed. O how sad and sore distressed was that Mother, highly blest, of the sole-begotten One. Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ's dear Mother to behold?  Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother's pain untold? Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, she beheld her tender Child All with bloody scourges rent: For the sins of His own nation, saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent. O thou Mother! Fount of love! Touch my spirit from above, make my heart with thine accord…).

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11838
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