Original leaf from a miniature medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink & burnished gold rubrics in fine rounded gothic script on animal vellum. (136 x 90mm)
One two-line illuminated initial in deep blue with intricate red penwork internally and extending along the margin. Two one-line illuminated initials alternating in burnished gold with intricate violet penwork, and deep blue with intricate red penwork.
Scribed in Italy (possibly Padua), c. 1490-1500 – Italian Books of Hours are relatively scarce.
Line two continues Lesson IV - Job 13:26-28 (The nine lessons from Job contain moving readings from Job detailing the trials he endured in his struggle for God’s blessings): ''Scribis...'' (For thou writest bitter things against me...).
The one-line illuminated ''M'' begins: ''Memento...'' (O God be mindful of me, for that my life is but wind, nor the sight of man may behold me).
The one-line illuminated ''D'' opens Psalm 129 (King James 130) 1: ''De profundis...'' (Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice...).
The two-line illuminated ''H'' begins Lesson V - Job 14: 1-2: ''Homo...'' (Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries...).
Provenance: ex Ferdinand Roten Gallery.
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout, status-conscious society. They are both works of art & cultural documents of their time. They are made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
