Nicholas - c 1518 Book of Hours Leaf

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Original leaf from a printed & 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’’)

Four illuminated two-line initials & two illuminated one-line initials in gold alternating on a red-orange or deep blue ground.  One nine-line miniature painting of Saint Nicholas.

Printed by Gilles Hardouyn & hand-painted in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - brother of the printer & a highly skilled illuminator.  Paris (Use of Rome), c. 1518.

Noted for its DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds are historiated (containing identifiable scenes or figures) or inhabited forms.

This leaf is from the section of Suffrages - prayers to saints who were considered the protectors, helpers and guardians of medieval people.  

The miniature painting of St. Nicholas (patron saint of children) depicts him blessing three reverent resuscitated youths. He is shown as a bishop with crosier.  The text reads: “Amicus Dei Nicholaus…” (Nicholas, the friend of God, adorned by a priestly fillet, showed himself loving to all. Pray for us, blessed Nicholas. That we be made worthy of the promises of Christ. O God, who adorned the blessed Nicholas thy priest with innumerable miracles, grant to us, we beseech, that by his favors and prayers we be freed from the fires of hell…).

Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11477
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