Original leaf from a printed & beautifully hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Twenty-eight lines of ruled Latin text, printed in red & 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 full page illumination depicts the Visitation.
The Virgin Mary wearing orange and blue robes embraces an orange-turbaned Elizabeth dressed in gold and blue robes. An elderly Zachary stands in the doorway with his blue hat in hand wearing red and blue robes. All three have halos. Elaborate landscaping in background
The three-line illuminated “D” begins the Hours of the Virgin – Hour of Lauds: “Deus…” (Incline unto my aid O God. O Lord make haste to help me…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 92 (King James 93) complete: “Dominus…” (The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is with strength, and hath girded himself…).
The two-line illuminated “J” begins Psalm 99 (KJ 100) complete: “Jubilate…” (Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy. Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves…).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
