Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. Red ruled for 15 lines (four recto, eight verso) of text, written in Latin with dark brown ink in beautiful gothic script on animal vellum. (205 x 150mm – 8 1/8 x 6’’)
One three-line illuminated initial in red and white with a floral interior in blue, green, violet and gold on a burnished gold ground; one one-line illuminated initial and two illuminated line extenders in gold on red and blue ground.
Northern France (Paris), c. 1450-75.
The exceptional illuminated miniature painting depicts the Crucifixion: “INRI” on white plaque atop the cross, Christ frontal with head leaning on his right shoulder and blood dripping from wounds; Virgin Mary stands beneath her son on his right with her hands clasped in prayer looking downward while John the Evangelist stands supporting her from behind. Soldiers with spears in background behind Christ. In the foreground on the left of Christ stand two men pointing fingers away from themselves; one wars a white turban and leans on a red shield with a protruding face having gold eyes. Starry night sky, hills and town are visible in the background. Surrounding the miniature and text is a three-quarter burnished gold bar with two sides decorated with flowers and all surrounded by a dense floral border in colors and burnished gold – containing a peacock – symbol of immortality.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
