Katherine - 1512 Book of Hours Leaf

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Original leaf from an important printed and hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Ruled Latin text printed in red and black, on animal vellum.(185 x 122mm - 7.4 x 4.9") 

Initials, paragraph markers and endings illuminated by hand in gold, on grounds of blue and/or magenta. Noted for its DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds are historiated or inhabited. The Master of Anne de Bretagne designed the metal cuts which were printed by Philippe Pigouchet.

Produced by Nicolas Higman for Simon Vostre in Paris, Use of Rome, c. 1512.   

Provenance: ex C.W. Dyson-Perrins collection   (noted English collector of the late 19th & early 20th centuries). Sold in 1927 at Sotheby’s London to Lord Harlech.

The extremely detailed three-quarter-page scene depicts St. Katherine. She is shown holding a sword  with the wheel of her martyrdom at her feet.  The artist monogram beneath the wheel reads ''PVL'' ( Another instance of this monogram is seen in Wieck, Painted Prayers, #35).  The smaller interior miniature on verso depicts St. Anne.

The illuminated ''C'' begins: ''Celeste...'' (A heavenly blessing entered into Anne, through whom the Virgin Mary was born for us...),

The illuminated ''M'' begins: ''Maria ergo...'' (Therefore Mary poured oil on the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair...).

The  illuminated ''V'' begins: ''Virgo...'' (The virgin St. Katherine, jewel of Greece, was the daughter of King Costus in Alexandria...).

Presented in an in archival 14x11'' mat.

  • Inventory# IM-8788
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