Original leaf from a printed & beautifully hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Twenty-eight lines of ruled Latin text, printed in black on animal vellum. (178 x 115mm – 7 x 4 ½’’)
Initials illuminated by hand in gold, on grounds of blue or sepia with delicate gold penwork. The paneled surrounds are historiated or inhabited. Printed by Gilles Hardouyn & hand-painted with rich sumptuous colors in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - brother of the printer & a highly skilled illuminator.
Paris (Use of Rome), c. 1518.
The miniature painting (recto) depicts St. Luke seated and wearing a red robe with lavish amounts of gold, writing his Gospel. His attribute, the ox, sits patiently at his feet.
The miniature painting (verso) depicts St. Matthew writing his Gospel while consulting with his attribute, an angel wearing a green robe with white wings, who stands over his shoulder. The night sky with bright gold stars is evident in the background.
The illuminated “I” by the miniature of St Luke begins the second Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:26-38: “In illo…” (And at that time the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee called Nazareth…Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women…He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High…And of his kingdom there shall be no end…).
The illuminated “I” by the miniature of St. Matthew begins the third Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11: “In illo…” (And at that time when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judah, in the days of king Herod, behold there came wise men from the east…and seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy…).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
