Genevieve - Master Jean Coene - Book of Hours Leaf 1510-20

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Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 22 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin in gothic book-hand script on animal vellum.(160x103mm)

Rubrics in red & line ending in red with liquid gold infill. Three  illuminated two-line initials alternating in white on gold ground and gold on blue ground. Some flaking of paint from the saint’s chin to top of cape.   

Northern France, c. 1510-20. 

Elaborate geometric panel borders with acanthus & floral motifs partially on gold ground and with a fabulous winged dragon resting on the ground in the bottom margin!

The Nine-line miniature painting depicts Saint Genevieve (Genovesa): A haloed St. Genevieve holds a candle in her right hand while an angle hovers close by to make sure it stays lit – preventing the devil’s (represented by the winged dragon at the bottom) continuous attempts to extinguish it.

This miniature is by the Master Jean Coene (also known as the Master of the Paris Entries), a prolific artist who was active in Paris for the French court under Louis XII and Francis I, and also collaborated with the workshop of the Master Jean Pichoire. Coene’s quick painting technique and the careful finish of his miniatures led him to be one of the most successful artists for a high-ranking clientele in early sixteenth-century Paris.

The two-line “O” begins a prayer to St. Genevieve (circa 422-500 AD).  According to legend, St. Genevieve stopped Attila the Hun from invading Paris by persuading the people to repent, fast and pray. After her relics were carried through the streets of Paris during the epidemic of 1129 the disease is said to have ended.

Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11365
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